T&T: Dumb Dinghy Move

[Bill Brewer]

    I was much amused by the description of the Siwash anchor trick for 
dinghies. Kids and everyone else in New England or the Maritimes who 
don't have a deep water dock - and with 12' tides that's a luxury - do 
pretty much the same thing.
    Our beach in Maine was great at high tide.  At low tide, we had an 
expanse of mud flat, and plenty of clams.  If you came ashore in your 
old wooden skiff at high tide, you landed with no mud on your feet, but 
pretty soon your skiff was hard aground a long way from the water.
    The solution was pretty simple.  Aboard the skiff was a little 
anchor with enough rode to take care of high tide.  After landing at 
high tide, the anchor was balanced on the stem of the skiff, with a 
long line attached to the crown.  The skiff was given a good big push 
toward deep water.  When far enough from the beach, the light line was 
snubbed, and, presto, the skiff was anchored.  When needed, the anchor 
and skiff were simply pulled ashore with the light line.
    Guess you couldn't do this with an Avon...she wouldn't carry her 
way.  There's some virtue in weight.


Bill Brewer
Nancy Lakin, Covey Island 46
Lying Galesville MD