RUNNING AGROUND AFTER 3 LONG DAYS AT SEA

One does not run aground, but rather performs an unscheduled careening.

Yup, been there, done that ... I ran aground on a -1 tide when I just a little out of the channel. It was 20 minutes before low, so I just sat there for about an hour before I floated off.

If you aren’t too hard aground, and/or don’t have someone to pull you free, you can use an anchor abeam of you and your halyard to heel the boat over and free the keel.

We only draw 2'3" and still manage to run aground regularly! The fact is, whatever you draw you'll ground sooner or later. Just try to plan to do it on a RISING tide!

The technical term for a sailor that has never run aground is "Liar" .

We anchored just west of where you snagged on a very windy night. Alas, the holding was poor even with our Mantus M1, and we struggled to re-anchor between 3am and dawn. We said to heck with it as the sun came up, and proceeded south, going north 'round the shoal of course. BTW, one of the bridge keepers just south of there was the grouchiest jerk we've ever encountered on the ICW. Just sayin'...

Great episode. I grounded 5 times in one trip through the ICW in the Gulf. I was surprised that the Cat in your opening shot is currently anchored about 300 feet away from me in Marsh Harbor.

It matters less what happens in our travels then how we respond. I commend you for how you handled yourself in the midst of this situation and I wish you the best in your ongoing journeys.

Soldering is still the most bullet proof connection!

Ponce Inlet. Disappearing Island. You would be surprised with ALL the boats beached and partying (especially Holidays and weekends). Ohhhh and shark bite capital (Ponce Inlet at New Smyrna Beach).

I remember the last time we grounded, we were running up river, river was running about 6 knots and we were making about 1/2 a knot progress, both of us relaxed in the cockpit and I had my foot on the tiller when I noticed we were not making progress. Missy looks over and states, "water is so clear it looks like the sand is 3 feet down.". Well I jump up and crank up on the keel but by now the rudder is stuck. I jump out, she hands me a pliers and I start to pull the rudder pins ( I had them in so the rudder did not pop up unlike how we usually run with them out. ) now the boat has no steerage and a puff of wind she starts off up river with me on a sandbar. Long story, but the Columbia River is no place to be stuck mid river on a sandbar. 30 minutes later we decided we had the best story of 2023, with pictures of me in nothing but shorts and a hat standing in the always cold Columbia.

Use a dielectric grease inside the connectors to prevent rain and salt air from getting to the connections. On the crimp connectors, it’s good to use some liquid electrical tape and shrink tubing over them to keep moisture out. Also, “woody wax” and a piece of bronze wool will remove the rust from the stainless hardware onboard and also prevents it from forming as quickly. Good luck!

"I keep convincing myself it will all be worth it."

They really should have that channel marked better than that, I can't say this was entirely your fault but what I can say is you were very lucky that it was only sand and not rocky ground or reef, this could have been a disaster. Keep safe, love you guy's.👍⚓⛵♥🇨🇦

Thats not a grounding. That's just comfortably resting. :)

It happens to the best of us.

It's great that you ran aground on sand without big waves! Running aground is scary. Nice job getting off. Cheers from Alaska

Hi you guys Beau to fix your solar connection get some heat shrink in various sizes and some di-electric grease for batterie connections ,that should solve your corrosion problems

Use dye electric grease on all electrical connections. Then use a tube like shrink wrap around it.

Nice video. Wonderful FL, where a 5+ ft. depth is a blessing. Google maps is a must have and bouncing is an every day occurrence. You used your grounding time well.