How to Unground a Boat

Once aground on mud, swing the stern side-to-side to break free.

When a boat is aground it's trapped on a mud bank or sandbar. Usually only the front of the boat goes aground. While you can sometimes simply back up a little and move into deeper water, this isn't always possible, particularly if you're aground either by accident or intent on a mud bottom. In this case, special measures are necessary to break the suction between the mud or sand and your boat's hull.

Instructions

1. Turn your rudder to the far right. Apply enough power ahead to make the stern of the boat swing to the right.

2. Shift your rudder: Turn the wheel to the far left. Apply just enough power ahead to cause the stern to swing to the left. Repeat right and left action three times.

3. Center the boat's rudder and apply full power astern. Repeat until you break the mud's suction on the forward part of the boat.

Tips & Warnings

• If the boat moves when you apply power astern, let it move, no matter how slowly. If it stops while moving astern, repeat the process of moving the stern to the left and right until it breaks free when you try to back out.