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disobey this restriction, you do so at your own risk and the Rules of the Road still apply. You
should slow down to idle speed and stay clear of all boats and other obstacles, regardless of
who has the right-of-way. Protect your night vision by avoiding bright lights and have
passengers use search/spotlights to help watch for other boats, hazards, and aids to navigation.
Anchoring
Several factors determine the size and type of anchor
most suitable for your boat, including the boat’s size and
the type of bottom in your boating area.
Never
anchor off
the stern of the boat, and never try to retrieve an anchor
by using the boat’s motor to create leverage. It’s easy to
have water pour over the sides of the boat and swamp it.
The photo at right is of Nick Schulyer who was the sole
survivor of a four man fishing excursion that ended with a
capsized boat because of stern anchoring. This is a link
to an article describing the horrible events and how it could have been easily avoided:
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/boating-accident-survivor-nick-schuyler-shares-
awful-details-hbos-real-sports
. If desired, anchoring can be made less difficult by equipping your
boat with a windlass system. A windlass can be operated by switches mounted at the bow or
from a rocker toggle in the switch panel at the helm. You’ll need to consult the windlass
operation and service manual for further details.
Extended Stay
If you decide to camp out or leave your boat anchored in open water
for an extended period of time, be sure to anchor securely and make
allowances for tides and wave action…if you don’t you may wake up
to something like this.
Shallow Water
Most boats that become grounded can be floated off with motors tilted to reduce the draft at the
transom. Do not attempt to power off if the propellers are in mud or sand due to possible
damage to your engine’s cooling system. With motors tilted, try rocking the boat from side to
side to break the suction of mud from the keel. Move passengers or heavy objects away from
the point where the boat is grounded. Do not lower or start the engines until the boat is clear of
the ground. When boating in water with tidal changes be mindful of fluctuations of the water
level. If you are grounded on an incoming tide you can wait until the tide is high enough to re-
float your boat. However, with an outgoing tide take
quick action to re-float your boat. If this is not possible
set an anchor to keep the boat from being driven further
aground and to counter the action of the wind or current.
The anchor, in some cases, can also be used to pull the
boat free. Many inland areas have rocks and stumps
which could crack or puncture a fiberglass hull. Be
familiar with the boating area and use caution in shallow
water. Remember that in saltwater, you have to account
for tides. Just because you were able to navigate an
area without issue once doesn’t mean you can again.
This photo is proof of that.
