If grounded aboard a small powerboat, which is a method to help free yourself?

When a small powerboat becomes grounded, using the kedge method is a practical and effective way to free the vessel. Kedge anchoring involves using a smaller anchor or dinghy to create a line that leads back to the main boat. By setting the kedge anchor in deeper water, you can pull the grounded boat toward the anchor, leveraging the efficiency of the water to gently shift the boat off the obstruction. This method provides a controlled way to dislodge the boat without the risk of causing damage to the hull or over-exerting the engine.

This approach is particularly advantageous as it minimizes the potential for harm to both the boat and the structure it may be grounded on, such as a sandbank or rocky shore. It also allows for a careful assessment of the surrounding area, to avoid getting stuck again immediately after freeing the boat.

The other methods mentioned can lead to complications. Accelerating hard can damage the boat and increase the risk of capsizing, staying put may leave you stranded without agency, and trying to use the anchor incorrectly could cause further entrapment or mechanical issues. Thus, kedge anchoring is the most strategic and safe method to free a grounded powerboat.