Careening (also known as "heaving down")

[jepomer]

Careening (also known as "heaving down") is the practice of grounding a sailing vessel at high tide in order to expose one side of its hull for maintenance and repairs below the water line when the tide goes out.

The photo shows an opportunistic example of an early season careening. Note the soft sand allowing "Ophelia" to gently lay on her side a mere fifty feet from the Winthrop Town Launch Ramp. Some may try to say it was due to the change in shoaling that caught us off guard launching for the season, attempting to rush to the start of the Moon Chase Regatta (Boston Harbor to Gloucester), but I prefer to view it as an opportunity to test various parameters including how far over can one pull the mast and still have the hull float (sadly, the tide went out too quickly to fully float 'Ophelia').

We decided to abandon trying to make the race start. It was disappointing since we were the only boat registered for our class. All we had to do was finish!

My friend and I enjoyed the adventure. Went to the yacht club for dinner (including a few Dark and Stormies) while waiting for the tide to come back in. Although we got to move to the sandy area, the wing keel first plowed into the soft muck.

The close-up shows the flexible Ganz solar panels that charge the motive batteries for the Torqeedo electric outboard. The photos on the water were from last year's Moon Chase. There was no wind! We were happy to make 1-2 knots and I think it was mostly due to the currents.

 

[aviatorjames]

How would you rate the Torqeedo system for the Capri?
How long have you used it and how many hours have you put on it?

Thanks!

 

[jepomer]

How would you rate the Torqeedo system for the Capri?
How long have you used it and how many hours have you put on it?

Thanks!

I've used the Torqeedo since 2010. it is equivalent in maneuvering and top speed to the 5 hp Nissan that came with my Capri.

The Nissan does have a 3 gallon fuel tank. The Torqeedo battery bank (4 GC2 golf cart batteries) is like having 1 gallon of gas. I've motored 12 miles at 3 knots before. The solar panels can increased the daytime range.

But for simple maneuvering in mooring fields and docking areas, it can't be beat. The maintenance is very simple.

Now rationalizing getting a wing keel stuck in the mud requires spinning a good yarn...

 

[aviatorjames]

...thanks for the Torqeedo review!
I don't do much motoring either this looks to be a clean, quiet alternative.

I actually try and sail to the dock in a lot of places.
...good practice for when that transom-anchor goes quiet!! :shock:

If all you did was end up on a sand bar waiting for the tide to turn... no harm done!

 

[aviatorjames]

I hadn't heard the term "careening" or "heaving down"...
...both seem to suggest underage drinking and driving
...and not holding their liquor

 

[jepomer]

...thanks for the Torqeedo review!
I don't do much motoring either this looks to be a clean, quiet alternative.

I actually try and sail to the dock in a lot of places.
...good practice for when that transom-anchor goes quiet!! :shock:


You will enjoy the quiet. Both my wife and I feel more relaxed than listening to the 2-stroke. The one disadvantage is quick refueling and/or range. That is important for some. But I have a sailboat because I like to sail. <smile>



If all you did was end up on a sand bar waiting for the tide to turn... no harm done!

It was actually that soft muck below the low tide level. We got it out of the muck and onto the sand. For a few minutes the boat was upright on the wing keel, stern boarding ladder, and the motor but I was quite sure the stability would not stay there. Although I have seen stabilizing poles used in Ireland to do exactly that.

 

[jepomer]

I hadn't heard the term "careening" or "heaving down"...
...both seem to suggest underage drinking and driving
...and not holding their liquor

It was simply a momentary distraction trying to hurry out to the start line.

As they say:

It is said that there are only three kinds of skippers, those who have run aground, those who will run aground, and those that have but won't admit it.

Hence, the "unscheduled careening".
No harm. Missed the overnight race But we enjoyed ourselves and our wives laughed even more!