On Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:31:40 -0400, W1TEF
wrote:

I wonder something - on your GB, could you use the boom to lift it
aboard once you got it shallow enough?

I had a couple of other ideas also. The old Polyform bouy trick would
work quite well also.

The buoy trick, as I understand it, requires that the anchor rode slip
freely, either through the middle of the buoy, or through a loop
attached to the buoy. I'm concerned that a chain rode might not slip
all that well although it's certainly creative and supplies a much
needed mechanical advantage.

I believe the maximum vertical pull is limited by the maximum buoyancy
of the buoy? If we need a vertical lift of 300+ pounds, that implies
a very large buoy, something over 5 cubic feet. We also would need a
propulsion system capable of providing over 300 lbs of static thrust,
possibly difficult on a sailboat with their typically wimpy little
engines and props.