Anticipating Spring -- Anchoring Question

[robedney]

In my first year of boating on the Delta I discovered the typical anchoring routine for sitting off a beach. However, I've usually done it bow in while watching my depth. I figure that if I misjudge things, putting the bow into the bottom is a lot less of an issue than slamming my rudder in. The problem is, that leaves the swim platform hanging out into the slough, in the deepest water and subject to wakes from passing traffic. I see lots of boats, however, anchored stern-to. I've got a 28 foot inboard. Any ideas on how to safely back in as far as possible? One thought I've had (being an inveterate tinkerer) is to have a piece of PVC mounted at the rear of the swim platform so that the bottom end sits at a depth a foot or two deeper than my rudder, while the top comes up where it's visible from the helm. It would be hinged on the platform and bungied to stand truly vertical. Could all be done to allow quick set-up on the go. When the bottom end (perhaps with an old tennis ball glued on) hits bottom, the top end will swing away from the boat indicating that it's time to cleat off the bow anchor. Stupid idea??? I figure at that point one of the kids goes over the stern and walks a line to the beach -- or failing that carries out a stern anchor. If the kids are busy (a growing problem), that would be me. One reason I want to do something like this has to do with old people and dogs (the relationship will become clear): I want to build a ramp that fits atop the cabin underway, but hinges off the swim platform at the beach, sometime with a floating outer end and non-skid on the top. This will make it a lot easier for both dogs and old people to board the boat.