Harbor maneuvers at low tide. SUP PADDLES?

[Jnitti1014]

Well, took my first outing on my 2002 Macgregor 26x. Had a blast, but we went out and came back at low tide, in about a foot of water. Got out fine but had trouble getting back in as it involved reverse. Also concerned about a muddy motor. I also stand up paddle and wondered if it would be a dumb idea if i just raised the motor and had me and my wife paddle us in. Any thoughts?

[NiceAft]

I have no experience in that sort of situation, so understand this is just coming from someone who is trying to think what would I be thinking about trying.

If it's only a foot of water, how about putting on a pair of water shoes, getting out and pushing.

If you were worried about mud intake, have you flushed it yet?

Ray

[Baha]

Last time out, I almost got caught out in the mud during a falling tide. I ended up reversing and then plowing a nice furrow into deeper waters-about 20 yards worth. At the time, the only thing that worried me was hitting a rock with the prop. My centerboard and rudders were up, and the motor was tilted as much as I dared.

When I got out of trouble, I got sailing, got the motor out of the water, and had a good look. Everything looked fine, and, when I fired it up, water was moving through the hole, just as it should.

I did flush the motor very well when I puller her out, though.

My opinion-you might not want to jump out because (at least around here) you have no idea how far into the mud you will sink....could be quite a ways. One decent option is poling (is there a nautical term for that?). Get yourself a nice wooden pole and use that. Low-tech is alway my choice when available.

[LoHo]

Poling might be your best bet...the hunting/boating catalogs have attachments for the pole end to keep from sinking too far into the mud. You might even get a boat hook/push pole combo.

[Jnitti1014]

The sup with paddles are long and strong enough to double as poles. How do you flush a 2002 Honda 50?

[Baha]

You need a flushing cuff...looks like one or two big suction cups and has a garden hose fitting. Put the cuff over the water inlets (I had to check my owner's manual to find mine) turn on the water, and fire up the engine. I leave mine on while I do a bunch of other chores. Made darn sure water is coming out of the "pee hole". Oh, and just an idle....in neutral....

[eodjedi]

I use the flush attachment that connects to the flush plug next to the gear lube drain plug. Just screws in and connects to a water hose.

https://www.amazon.com/Honda-06190-ZV1- ... +flush+kit

[taylormade]

You need a flushing cuff...looks like one or two big suction cups and has a garden hose fitting. Put the cuff over the water inlets (I had to check my owner's manual to find mine) turn on the water, and fire up the engine. I leave mine on while I do a bunch of other chores. Made darn sure water is coming out of the "pee hole". Oh, and just an idle....in neutral....

You also have an intake above the prop under the anti-cavitation plate that needs to be covered with painter's or duct tape.

[NiceAft]

I have done it differently.

I tilt up the motor, slide a plastic trash can under and up the shaft. I then lower the motor, fill the can to the proper level, and start the motor. I can rev up the engine if I want, because there is plenty of water in the can. All the while, I also leave the hose trickling water into the can.

Ray

[Catigale]

Mad Mike described rowing a Mac with two 12 oars in a thread. It's searchable under

Row row row your mac

I think 10 foot oars were needed. If someone can think of two other functions for these, like tent poles or a fender board, I'll be game to try this