Getting Off Aground
Written by Tom NealeGetting Off Aground
Techniques to try before you call Sea Tow
When you go aground, usually the safest course of action is to get professional help, unless it’s a slight grounding and easy to back off. But waiting for professional help may not be necessary; in some cases, it may actually be detrimental. If the tide is dropping, if a storm is coming, if waves are pushing you into shallow water, or if waves or wakes are grinding your boat against the bottom, it may be best for you to go to work immediately to attempt to get your boat off. In my past 54 years of going aground, I’ve learned some tactics the hard way. Of course, the first tactic is to not go aground; the second tactic is to never admit you’ve done it. But if you’re out here enough, you will go aground, and admitting it will become admitting the obvious. So let’s talk about it.
Island Pilot in the Islands
Written by Bill ParlatoreIsland Pilot in the Islands
A New Boat In New England
This story begins with a personality who is no stranger to our lifestyle and cruising community. Reuben Trane has been kicking around boats his entire life, and his experience developing new boat designs goes back decades.
Reuben was behind a line of pocket sailboats, the Mud Hen, Bay Hen, and Peep Hen, in the ’80s. Then, working with designer Jay Benford, he moved on to the Florida Bay Coasters, a collection of a dozen or so small steel freighters that continue to frequent our coastal waterways with palatial accommodations. Reuben next crafted the Krogen Express 49 with Kurt Krogen, and today’s version, the Krogen Express 52, is one graceful and lovely cruising boat that can fulfill anyone’s dreams.
