Beaching through surf ?

Has anyone got any advice on the best way to beach through surf ? (Obviously not humungous just your typical open surf beach sort of stuff)

The advice seems to be that an AI will punch out through the incoming waves fairly well but will log it coming in, especially at the end of the day when the wind whips the surf up a bit.

Is it practical.....if not overly majestic, to ditch over the back with a line tied to the stern when you approach the outer break and be your own sea anchor and 'walk' the boat in through the breakers ?

(I really..... really wanted to make this another 'stupid question' just in case it is, so please be kind )

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Yellow 09 Oasis
Red 2010 AI /Grey tramps.

I've read in a number of places that the recommended way, in bad conditions, is to tie your line to the bow and walk it in, as you said, being a virtual sea anchor.

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Cheers, Max ● TI: the "Yella Terra" ● Website: www.MadYakker.com ● YouTube: madyakkermax

I usually stop far enough outside of the shore break (surf zone) and stow everything, including sail, lines & daggerboard, get my water shoes back on, my paddle ready and often get my wheels out of the front hatch and assembled ready to go on my sprayskirt. I move closer to the shore break, usually from downwind (facing into the wind), parallel to the shore with the shore break on one side and the landing on the other side, and watch the incoming swells while slowly pedaling to keep steerage and position. If I don't like a larger set coming in, I head into it at a 45 degree and then slowly circle around again, back to watch as it subsides. When a lull comes in the waves, I quickly pull my Mirage drive (leashed!) and place it across the gunnels and release my rudder and pull it up and the paddle in. I watch over my shoulder every few seconds to see if anything new is building, and if not I jump out in about 3 feet of water and grab my wheels an pop them underneath into the scupper holes. I start walking the boat in, holding a front aka, still glancing back at the waves and when shallow enough, walk over the aka or ama and grab the bow and roll up the beach till out of the "wet" zone.

One of the most important points I've found is don't rely on your rudder. When you start riding on a wave (even smaller ones), most if not all of the rudder is out of the water. You (and I) can look pretty funny with the puzzled look on our face while playing with the rudder handle as we curve off course riding a small (or not so small) wave to the beach.

Another important point is never turn your back to the ocean (at least not for more than a few seconds)!

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I do just about the same as Bob, except I don't bother with the wheels. I wait until a smaller set of waves come then paddle like heck with the mirage drive, then pull the mirage and rudder at the latest moment I think I can. Then hop out on the windward side and pull the AI onto the beach.

Everything I have read here is good advice, yet surf is infinitely variable so I guess you're plan must suit the day.

I often beach in light surf at the same spot and find that it's when the boat gets Sideways in the Driveways that things start to unravel.

So, for normal light shore-break before entering the foamy break-zone, I first lean over the side and with a practised move insert the Cart.

The cart wheels contact the sand first like a soft anchor while the boat is still floating so if the boat is struck from behind by more broken waves it always aligns with the Swell and keeps the Bow pointing at the beach.

This gives me extra time and stability to hop out and scamper around to the Bow to grab the handle and pull the AI clear.

A giggle-bonus is when onlookers see you pulling an AI out of the water which then magically keeps running up the sand on unexpected wheels, I'm sure many think I sail that way

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Fair Skies, Max.

Yep, all good advice.

My problem is that I'd like to drive right up to the track outside my house which is right in the middle of a long open surf beach and the waves are pretty much always the usual sloppy stuff coming in through gutters etc.

The up side is that mid week and because there's far better surfing beaches around there's usually only a stray dog on the beach to watch my less than graceful beaching.

I'm still thinking that a bow line of about 20' of shock cord (to keep my shoulder in it's socket) and abandoning ship (in an extremely graceful double tuck in the piked position) on the last wave of a set and then let the battle begin between Hobie and 92 kg of assorted human cells, to see which one controls which on the way in.

Should I wear a ten gallon hat and a checkered shirt ?

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Yellow 09 Oasis
Red 2010 AI /Grey tramps.