Ran Aground Today

[GeeBee]

For the first time in 50 some odd years, I ran aground. Fortunately not fast and hard. Lake Lanier is down 8 feet. Historically low levels. I pride myself in knowing the lake pretty well and I knew I was in a shallow area. I slowed down because there was a fisherman to my starboard, as well as shallow markers to my starboard. I thought remaining to the port would be "good enough". I then saw the depth decreasing rapidly, I pulled into reverse and as the depth touch zero, I cut the engine to save the props. When I went aground it was "-0.3 feet" which means I have the keel offset set accurately. It was a gentle halt, but I was aground. I raised the drive to "trailer position" Inspected the props. I thought about hailing the fishing boat to give me a gentle tug as I was not hard aground. Then I thought about Towboat US. I smiled at my wife and told her she might have to go in the water to lighten the boat. She was not impressed with that plan. Anyway, I think God said, "Give you a second chance son" as a breeze came up and pushed me off the shoal. I looked at the depth and it said, 1.5 feet. That was enough. I dropped the drive, fired up and went astern. I then shut down, pulled the drive up, little scrape on the keg, no damage to the props. A quick interior inspection revealed no hull damage. So off I went.

 

[boatbum]

There are two kinds of boaters. Those that have run aground and those that will eventually. BTDT on the ICW in South Jersey. Bent a prop a little but no big deal. Glad you got off easy.

 

[bigblocksarefun]

There are two kinds of boaters. Those that have run aground and those that will eventually. BTDT on the ICW in South Jersey. Bent a prop a little but no big deal. Glad you got off easy.

Which is why I try to avoid that area between Great Bay & LBI and down in Ludlam Bay.

 

[Phillbo]

So, did you have to cook your own dinner and sleep in the cockpit with one eye open?

 

[Brian N]

So, did you have to cook your own dinner and sleep in the cockpit with one eye open?

You think he was brave enough to sleep?

 

[Good Grief]

There are two kinds of boaters. Those that have run aground and those that will eventually. BTDT on the ICW in South Jersey. Bent a prop a little but no big deal. Glad you got off easy.

Yup - Barnegat Bay can be a real prop eater! Tho I've done worse (many moons ago) on the Hudson at LL Tide. . ..

 

[BillK]

I've done exactly what Greg did before. The thing with the southern lakes like Lanier, Norman, Hartwell, Keowee is trees and stumps. It's generally a clay bottom, but the lakes were not cleared before they were flooded, they cut the trees to a depth of about 30 feet or so. What remains is stumps, fallen trees and standing trees in deep areas. Mainly southern pine trees - I've pulled plenty up with my anchor over the years.

 

[BillK]

Back during the summer I was out headed to a routine cove to hang out. Somewhere I have been dozens of times. I knew there was a shoal in the cove going in, but I was not paying close attention, enjoying the ride and blindly following the boat in front. There is a second shoal area that is not a problem except when water levels are low like they were this summer. Before I realize it, my depth alarm goes off at 10ft, but I am on plan going 30 - look down I am in 2.5ft of water going 30mph. Daughter laughed when she saw me lift my feet up! Luckily I skated over it without hitting - if I had not just stayed on plane would have been much different. The problem there is in these lakes, your in 2.5ft of water, bad enought, but there could easily be a 1.5ft stump there!