DSK wrote in message ...
Joe wrote:

You do understand that when I say un-grounding I do mean Im pulling
another vessel usually a fin boat off an oyster reef or something dont
you?. Thats why I'm printing out no cure no pay contracts.
Powerboaters will pay dearly!
Ive got a 200 ft 1&3/4" towing hauser in the lazeret.

Why so big? Most boats won't be able to get that around a cleat. Besides, you shouldn't
need a breaking strength over 6 tons to pull a stuck boat.

Well I have a padeye to shackle it to no my boat both fore and aft.
I'm not to concerned about tearing someone elses cleats off. Most the
boats I pulled off use smaller line that they have and just thread it
thru the thimble. Usually after the Harvest moon regetta we take the
ICW back along with several hundred other sailboats, its about a 250
mile trip and we average pulling 3-4 boats off a year. I usually do it
for free, but had a couple were I had to use the heaving gun so I
charge them 50 dollars for a new line.

I had in mind using the engine to back off a sandbar or mud bank, in the first few moments
after running aground. Prompt action is key... usually after a few minutes, the wind,
waves, and/or current, plus the working action of the weight of the boat against the
bottom, digs the thing in so much that stronger measures are called for.

One reason why a fixed 3 blade prop is nice for boats running the ICW... not only do you
motor a lot in the ditch, it's got much more bounce to the ounce when trying to back off a
shoal.


We have a 3 blade 24 square. Ive only had to kedge off twice.

Joe
MSV RedCloud


Fresh Breezes- Doug King