Mud berth?

[Joelmcminn]

Not owning a Tug -- considering how it would be to "anchor" in a well protected cove here in Benicia CA.
Attached picture is at recent super-low tide. Would you let YOUR tug come to rest every so often on this mud bottom? (thinking of long term anchoring & occasional use)
https://plus.google.com/photos/1134...s/5740300194376847953?authkey=COPhxa7s_r2fvQE

 

[RProffer]

I have seen where some owners have put their boats in shallow water so that the hull would be accessible for maintenance during low tide. I don't know about walking in the boat when it is high and dry. Also, I would be concerned with mud, insects, etc. getting in the thru hulls. I would also be concerned about possible damage to the rudder.

I would think going on the high and dry once in a while would be okay, but I would not want to do it very often.

 

[GulfSailor]

You just have to make sure there isn't a hard pointy rock lurking just under the surface of that nice soft mud! :shock: 😀

 

[sportner]

Maybe a cat type hull or a mono hull with a flatter bottom would be OK for an occasional grounding but not aTug, not my Tug.

 

[abcandjrc]

That's common practice in many areas of the world where large tidal ranges are the norm. Most well constructed boats will take it with no problem. I would expect our tugs to do so. Some of the concerns mentioned are valid, particularly with regard to intakes and such. The real danger to the hull and running gear is at the point where the boat is settling to or just rising from the bottom. Things get some dynamic loads then since parts of the boat are floating, some settling. High winds or currents, or walking around in the boat at that point could be a critical factor.

Our sailboat used to ground occasionally with high winds from the north since they lower Mobile Bay and adjacent waters significantly. It had a 6000 pound lead keel though, so the only real problem was getting on and off the boat since it would settle in the center of the slip. We lived aboard. I could walk the lines but my wife was not so adventuresome. She would have to wait for the water to come back or trust me to pull as she jumped. (I don't think she would do that now!)