Soft grounding, Do I need to Check?

ltgoshen · #1 06-25-2012

So the East Coast Lady my C&C 30MK1 had a soft mud grounding on Saturday afternoon. It had to be pulled out of the mud. I was not on her at the time, my sailing co/owner was sailing her too close to the shore. Does this kind of grounding require an inspection of the Keel to hull mating surfaces? It was soft pluff mud. If fact if he would have hung around for an hour he would have floated off. But I think he may have panicked a bit, but hearing this second hand, I don’t know if he is telling it as it happened or if it was a bit more violent? I’m just a little nervous. Any your help or advice on this?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks Curt

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St Anna · #2 06-25-2012

I would say no, but each time is different and you weren't there either, so when in doubt, go for a swim.

cheers

johnnyquest37 · #3 06-25-2012

When in doubt, check it out. But how "soft" was the grounding if he needed to be hauled off?

Faster · #4 06-25-2012

In all likelihood you're OK.. but if swimming is an option that's cheap peace of mind...

sailingfool · #5 06-25-2012

I would not worry about a soft grounding in any reasonably constructed keel boat, certainly not in your C&C 30 mark I. During her race career, I bounced a sistership over some nasty stuff at speed, with damage limited to a divot in the leading edge of the keel. Her swept-back keel design is very forgiving, the newer high aspects much less so.

FoolishMuse · #6 06-25-2012

for any grounding the real damage would not really be visible during a swim. The issue is hull damage where the keel meets the hull. This would be practically invisible. It would need the boat to be pulled and properly sounded with a mallet.

So, assuming the grounding was as soft as you say, you probably don't have any problem, and you couldn't find it during a swim anyway.

bljones · #7 06-25-2012

If water isn't coming in around the keel stub or around the rudder post, put the swimfins away. Take a look on the inside of the hull. any cracks in the fiberglass, any separation of stringers or grid? if everything looks pretty much as usual, then it really was a soft grounding.

ltgoshen · #8 06-25-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by bljones

If water isn't coming in around the keel stub or around the rudder post, put the swimfins away. Take a look on the inside of the hull. any cracks in the fiberglass, any separation of stringers or grid? if everything looks pretty much as usual, then it really was a soft grounding.

I took a good look around the Keel bolts it all looks the same. There are no Oyster rakes in that areas were he touched down. I went to the dock to help him put the boat back into the slip on Sunday. The tide was rushing thru when they tied up Sunday around 7: pm. I talked to the towboat us guy he said he did not need to call for a tow? He said the captain only had to hold on 45 min and the tide would have freeded him. He said if he would have dumped his 45 gallons of water he may have eased off. Who knows? I will take the Geo-Pro Hero and a light and take a swim an Saturday and check it out.Thanks guys.

msmith10 · #9 06-25-2012

You also have the benefit of a lead keel. I wouldn't pull it.

hellosailor · #10 06-26-2012

"I was not on her at the time, "
Then you absolutely want to put eyes and hands on it. Especially, to look closely for any hairlines in the rudder, which would lead to water intrusion to come.
Even a soft grounding can lead to pressures that will split the skin on a rudder, or bend the rudder post. Or clog an intake.