I'm wondering if anyone has been beaching their 260, resting on the keel in the up position. I would love to pull up on shore at times but I'm concerned about damage/wear on the swing keel. I don't want anything to losen up and cause leakage into the hull or excessive wear on the hinge pivot system. The boat is 5 years old and currently doesn't leak a drop.
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Beaching
I don't think it would be a problem to beach a 260 with the keel in the up position. I feel confident the boat is structurally sound enough. Though, I haven't tried it I've thought about it a lot with mine (stumps and rocks). I also wonder how much bottom paint you would loose if the boat was to move around a bit. I normally anchor is about 3 feet of water and walk to shore.
I don't think it would be a problem to beach a 260 with the keel in the up position. I feel confident the boat is structurally sound enough. Though, I haven't tried it I've thought about it a lot with mine (stumps and rocks). I also wonder how much bottom paint you would loose if the boat was to move around a bit. I normally anchor is about 3 feet of water and walk to shore.
accidental beaching
I would only do it if you know the bottom is sand and slopes enough not stress the keel. My 260's mooring line broke and the boat flaoted ashore and damaged the keel, I know I should have had a back up line but I didn't. I know that there is big difference between beaching it as opposed to just floating ashore on accident but it might cause similar damage as far as damage to keel goes(pivot point damage, fiberglass damage, etc...). The insurance people and the marina are going to look at it friday. I already know the leading edge of the keel is scratched, gouged, and worn down to the foam core. The keel was in the up position as well. I will let you know friday if there is anymore damage. Hope this gives you some guidence. Oh and the shoreline where mine floated up on is a mix of small rocks and sand, typical fingerlakes bottom. I will also post some pictures of the keel when it is in the lift if you want Brad
I would only do it if you know the bottom is sand and slopes enough not stress the keel. My 260's mooring line broke and the boat flaoted ashore and damaged the keel, I know I should have had a back up line but I didn't. I know that there is big difference between beaching it as opposed to just floating ashore on accident but it might cause similar damage as far as damage to keel goes(pivot point damage, fiberglass damage, etc...). The insurance people and the marina are going to look at it friday. I already know the leading edge of the keel is scratched, gouged, and worn down to the foam core. The keel was in the up position as well. I will let you know friday if there is anymore damage. Hope this gives you some guidence. Oh and the shoreline where mine floated up on is a mix of small rocks and sand, typical fingerlakes bottom. I will also post some pictures of the keel when it is in the lift if you want Brad
Life's a Beach (for My H26)
I beach my H26 all the time on a sandy sloped bottom with the centerboard and rudder up. In reality, with a sloped shore, only about a foot of the keel is actually touching the bottom. The rest is still floating. Also remember, when you trailer an H260/26, much of the weight is on the keel. Just remember not to beach it further than you can manually push it back to get underway. Also, if on the coast, watch out for falling tide. BrianW
I beach my H26 all the time on a sandy sloped bottom with the centerboard and rudder up. In reality, with a sloped shore, only about a foot of the keel is actually touching the bottom. The rest is still floating. Also remember, when you trailer an H260/26, much of the weight is on the keel. Just remember not to beach it further than you can manually push it back to get underway. Also, if on the coast, watch out for falling tide. BrianW
Not Been a Problem
We have been beaching our 23.5, which I believe has the same swing keel configuration as the 260, for 13 years, and have not had any problems. We often set the bow on the beach, but most often, once we are in knee deep water, I hop off the boat, turn it around, and pull the stern up onto the beach (with the rudder, engine, and CB up), so that the crew can step off the stern in ankle deep water. Keeps the crew happy, especially when the kids were little. We usuall bury the danforth in the sand on the beach, or tie off to a sturdy tree. If there is any movement of the boat due to waves, we usually drop a bow anchor 10 or 15 yards out to keep the boat from banging on the bottom. Rob S/V Kinship
We have been beaching our 23.5, which I believe has the same swing keel configuration as the 260, for 13 years, and have not had any problems. We often set the bow on the beach, but most often, once we are in knee deep water, I hop off the boat, turn it around, and pull the stern up onto the beach (with the rudder, engine, and CB up), so that the crew can step off the stern in ankle deep water. Keeps the crew happy, especially when the kids were little. We usuall bury the danforth in the sand on the beach, or tie off to a sturdy tree. If there is any movement of the boat due to waves, we usually drop a bow anchor 10 or 15 yards out to keep the boat from banging on the bottom. Rob S/V Kinship
Go stern to beach...
with bow anchor set in deeper water to prevent getting washed hard onto the beach and to pull off when ready to leave. Stern anchor set on beach (or tie to a tree) to keep stern from swinging or drifting off. I'd rather be floating a few inches off the sand than resting on it. Fair winds, Tom
with bow anchor set in deeper water to prevent getting washed hard onto the beach and to pull off when ready to leave. Stern anchor set on beach (or tie to a tree) to keep stern from swinging or drifting off. I'd rather be floating a few inches off the sand than resting on it. Fair winds, Tom
those of you that beach your 26/260's
when you beach them do you have the weight of the boat on the keel or is it(keel) just touching the ground? Brad
when you beach them do you have the weight of the boat on the keel or is it(keel) just touching the ground? Brad
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