Tips On Proper Houseboat Anchoring

Tips on Proper Houseboat Anchoring

If you lack skills in anchoring a houseboat, you can get into a lot of trouble. Improper anchoring can cost you so much in terms of equipment repair or replacement. Also, it can lead to mild to serious physical injuries.

Wind storms are inevitable, and improper anchoring is an accident that would most likely happen. In fact, even the best set anchors are no-match to a mild to strong storm. So, it is extremely vital to double check everything and perform everything you need to do to set your anchors properly and as tightly as possible.

Take note of the following guidelines and tips on how to anchor a houseboat properly to ensure the safety of every person on board.

1. Never anchor your houseboat on a beach that is exposed directly to the main channel however tempting the beautiful the view out there may be. Instead, moor your houseboat by a canyon where your vessel can be fully protected from the wind.

2. If you will go houseboating in a lake or river, make sure you know when the water rises or recedes. If the water level is going up, see to it that you tighten up your shorelines every single day as they tend to loosen as the water rises. Also, see to it that you reset the front of your vessel on short, running it up enough on the sand. This should be done so your boat’s bow will not float to the side.

3. Secure the center of your vessel with a stake. Do this at all times. This will provide you with additional assurance in keeping the Check our website front of your houseboat from breaking loose, in the event that you missed to tighten your shorelines as the water rises. When the water recedes, you will notice that your shorelines will tighten up. Always check this. Loosen your lines and be sure that you power your vessel offshore, then resecure it. This will prevent your boat from getting stuck high and dry on the shore. Take note that this can easily occur right before the start of a season when waters usually recede a lot faster (up to one foot a day).

TIP: If your boat get stuck on shore, never attempt to back it up straight to the rear using full throttle. Instead, turn your helm full right and give it half throttle until the aft of your vessel swings over to the right. Do the same procedure to the left. A couple of left and right maneuvers should solve the problem. Be extra careful as you might hit rocks. To guide you, use spotters.

4. See to it that your anchor gets burried on the beach at least four feet above the shoreline, and that it is moored on damp sand.

5. Anchors of echuca houseboats come in various sizes. If you are using 44# anchors, make sure you place them to the outside, farthest away from your vessel, pointing your shank to the back cleat of your boat. Then use the lighter 22# anchors, if you ran out of the 44’s.