I am looking for some help on possible actions I can take. The lake water level has dropped so low, our 27' sailboat is on bottom in about 2' of water. The shoal keel (3' 6") is grounded and the hull is over 1' out of the water. I am new to sailing, and my husband, who is the sailer, has been working on a job in Canada. The sailboat is starting to tip and only the lines are holding it. Can something be built to support it to keep it upright and to keep the keel from breaking? I think the water level will continue to drop. Please help with any ideas. Thanks so much.
Help - need ideas to save boat - low water level
- Thread starter Kay13287
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First thought----take the main halyard to the side opposite the heel. The halyard can easily pull the boat back upright again. Once upright, the keel will work its way into the bottom and will help to support the boat. If the rudder is not in the mud, then you should be fine. If it is in you will need to pull the boat upright more slowly.
possibly a cradle?
see if you can rig up a temporary cradle to support it, will work if it's a temporary water drop, but if it's long term I'd see about getting some people together to dig a channel to get it somewhere it can be hauled out If it's temporary, build the cradle in sides, a trapezoid shape with large pads at top and bottom, tall enough so the can be wedged tightly against the hull and still be at an angle, wedge them in on both sides, then nail or screw ends to them to hold them in position. get some sturdy boards (2x12) to lay down as a footing for the cradle, and try to support the keel too. jackstands would work good too if you are able to ensure a secure base for them, but it wouldn't be as easy to keep them all on the same footing. A more radical option is to gently ease it over, you didn't say what type of boat it was, so can't say if that would be a viable option for it, with my boat, I wouldn't be happy about it, but wouldn't be overly concerned as that was a design criteria as I understand it. clean out the bottom on that side to get rid of any rough or hard stuff, and see if you have something you could place on that side,(bunch of innertubes, bags of styrofoam?) if the dock is sturdy enough, leaning it against that may be a feasable option too. Out here there is an area that has a whole slew of houses, (<50) each house has a dock sitting 3 to 5 ft in the air out back of it, in a few of the 'yards' there are boats sitting there totally dry. Looks very strange, docks, boats, and a few beaches, but they mow the water. The nearest navigable water is about 4 miles away, I'd say long term as there is a road and developement going through that area now. Ken.
see if you can rig up a temporary cradle to support it, will work if it's a temporary water drop, but if it's long term I'd see about getting some people together to dig a channel to get it somewhere it can be hauled out If it's temporary, build the cradle in sides, a trapezoid shape with large pads at top and bottom, tall enough so the can be wedged tightly against the hull and still be at an angle, wedge them in on both sides, then nail or screw ends to them to hold them in position. get some sturdy boards (2x12) to lay down as a footing for the cradle, and try to support the keel too. jackstands would work good too if you are able to ensure a secure base for them, but it wouldn't be as easy to keep them all on the same footing. A more radical option is to gently ease it over, you didn't say what type of boat it was, so can't say if that would be a viable option for it, with my boat, I wouldn't be happy about it, but wouldn't be overly concerned as that was a design criteria as I understand it. clean out the bottom on that side to get rid of any rough or hard stuff, and see if you have something you could place on that side,(bunch of innertubes, bags of styrofoam?) if the dock is sturdy enough, leaning it against that may be a feasable option too. Out here there is an area that has a whole slew of houses, (<50) each house has a dock sitting 3 to 5 ft in the air out back of it, in a few of the 'yards' there are boats sitting there totally dry. Looks very strange, docks, boats, and a few beaches, but they mow the water. The nearest navigable water is about 4 miles away, I'd say long term as there is a road and developement going through that area now. Ken.
Kay, can you give us more info?
In the mean time, I am assuming that the water is wadeable, yes? I would set an anchor (largest one you own) perpendicular to the beam of the boat on the high side ( the side it is rolling away from). Tighten the anchor line as much as possible. Ok there are a few ways of doing the next step. I do not know your understanding of the boat or even your abilities. Idea #1: attach your anchor line to your main halyard and make it as tight as possible. Idea #2: attach a block to your main halyard. Pass the anchorline through the block to a winch on the boat. Winch the anchorline until the boat is almost upright. Do not try to get it straight up! It will fallover the other way. If this is not clear, please post again and I will give you my phone # and try to explain it over the phone. r.w.landau
In the mean time, I am assuming that the water is wadeable, yes? I would set an anchor (largest one you own) perpendicular to the beam of the boat on the high side ( the side it is rolling away from). Tighten the anchor line as much as possible. Ok there are a few ways of doing the next step. I do not know your understanding of the boat or even your abilities. Idea #1: attach your anchor line to your main halyard and make it as tight as possible. Idea #2: attach a block to your main halyard. Pass the anchorline through the block to a winch on the boat. Winch the anchorline until the boat is almost upright. Do not try to get it straight up! It will fallover the other way. If this is not clear, please post again and I will give you my phone # and try to explain it over the phone. r.w.landau
Add extra lines
Add extra heavy lines to keep upright at the dock ,the keel is strong to let the boat rest on the keel. My creek gets low sometimes and I see sailboats doing this many times just use the dock and extra lines to hold it up right.
Add extra heavy lines to keep upright at the dock ,the keel is strong to let the boat rest on the keel. My creek gets low sometimes and I see sailboats doing this many times just use the dock and extra lines to hold it up right.
Thanks - I feel better about the situation
- I will add some tie straps back to the dock supports.
- I will add some tie straps back to the dock supports.
What Lake
Hi Kay, which lake are you on? I might can go and help you tie it up ? I just came home 11:20PM if you need help e-mail me. (idwatkin@alltel.net) I will give you my phone number. Ira Watkins
Hi Kay, which lake are you on? I might can go and help you tie it up ? I just came home 11:20PM if you need help e-mail me. (idwatkin@alltel.net) I will give you my phone number. Ira Watkins
Thanks for offer - brother is coming to help
Thanks for your generous offer to help. My brother lives south of LR and he is going to help me. I just needed a plan and with so many good ideas, I know what I can do now. Thanks again!!
Thanks for your generous offer to help. My brother lives south of LR and he is going to help me. I just needed a plan and with so many good ideas, I know what I can do now. Thanks again!!
WOW, I am in awe
This is incredible, people willing to respond and help out a complete stranger on a web site, people giving out thier phone numbers, and all the advice to right this wrong. I read this fourm every night. It feels like home. Have enjoyed so many posts and posters, but this is overwelming! This is the greatest site, with the greatest people.
This is incredible, people willing to respond and help out a complete stranger on a web site, people giving out thier phone numbers, and all the advice to right this wrong. I read this fourm every night. It feels like home. Have enjoyed so many posts and posters, but this is overwelming! This is the greatest site, with the greatest people.
jack stands?
If the bottom is firm enough sand or gravel you could get some jack stands and put them in the water to support the hull.
If the bottom is firm enough sand or gravel you could get some jack stands and put them in the water to support the hull.
An OPINION...
I saw two keeled boats leaning over on their sides NEW YEAR DAY, resting nicely due to a serious low tide. If the slip has a mud bottom, the hull will rest on "SOFT" surface. IF there is no wake or waves or any causes of "POUNDING" to the hull, the boat should have no problems awaiting the water level to rise to 'normal' again. Hope you find a solution soon. Happy Sailing !
I saw two keeled boats leaning over on their sides NEW YEAR DAY, resting nicely due to a serious low tide. If the slip has a mud bottom, the hull will rest on "SOFT" surface. IF there is no wake or waves or any causes of "POUNDING" to the hull, the boat should have no problems awaiting the water level to rise to 'normal' again. Hope you find a solution soon. Happy Sailing !
Close your cockpit drains
if you are going to let it lay on its bilges, otherwise, as it loses buoyancy, the water will rise into the cockpit and possibly down the companionway.
if you are going to let it lay on its bilges, otherwise, as it loses buoyancy, the water will rise into the cockpit and possibly down the companionway.
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