Can anybody tell me precisely how undesirable it is for the keel and rudder to be sitting in mud at low tide. I am debating about returning to a marina where there is about one foot of water (total, not one foot below the keel) at low tide, and at the real low tides (the ones that happen a few times a year), I am completely beached. The mud is pretty soft on the topand gradually gets more dense as you go down. There are no rocks or particularly hard muddy spots. I was at this marina for a year-and-a-half with no problems that I am aware of. I recognize the thru-hull problems, but I am mainly interested here with the integrity of the keel and rudder. Thanks, Josh
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What?
So twice a day your boat rests on its side in a foot of water tied to a dock? I must be missing something. I would rule out living aboard!
So twice a day your boat rests on its side in a foot of water tied to a dock? I must be missing something. I would rule out living aboard!
Shallow Water Marinas
have been moored in Martinez since August 2004 and I have the same situation, as little as 10" on a real low tide. I have a 1985 Hunter 31 - different boat but I think the same issues apply. It's my OPINION that my boat can stand full weight on the keel. I made a slot in the mud bottom by running in & out every 30 minutes during a few tide cycles. But only bow in. When I go stern in I do worry about my rudder so I only go stern in at high tide and I stay there until the next high tide. When stern in I also lock the wheel off to avoid damaging steering system by trying to move the wheel when the rudders stuck solid in place at low tide. So far no problems - but the grove I made in the mud bottom makes a big difference. I was limited on coming and going but now I can get in and out 90% of the time. One bonus is that with the grove 75% of the time I couldn’t bump into my neighbors boat if I had to. Good Luck
have been moored in Martinez since August 2004 and I have the same situation, as little as 10" on a real low tide. I have a 1985 Hunter 31 - different boat but I think the same issues apply. It's my OPINION that my boat can stand full weight on the keel. I made a slot in the mud bottom by running in & out every 30 minutes during a few tide cycles. But only bow in. When I go stern in I do worry about my rudder so I only go stern in at high tide and I stay there until the next high tide. When stern in I also lock the wheel off to avoid damaging steering system by trying to move the wheel when the rudders stuck solid in place at low tide. So far no problems - but the grove I made in the mud bottom makes a big difference. I was limited on coming and going but now I can get in and out 90% of the time. One bonus is that with the grove 75% of the time I couldn’t bump into my neighbors boat if I had to. Good Luck
Answer to Scott
The SF bay is really an estuary - lots of silt, mud and soft stuff. In the Martinez City Marina (CA) at low tide I may have 10" of clear water near my bow and 8 feet of thick chocolate pudding under.
The SF bay is really an estuary - lots of silt, mud and soft stuff. In the Martinez City Marina (CA) at low tide I may have 10" of clear water near my bow and 8 feet of thick chocolate pudding under.
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