What to Do When Grounded & How to Kedge Off

by James & Ana, Sailing Zingaro | Visit Partner Page

Nov 19, 2024 — Running aground can turn even the calmest sailor into a stress ball, but the right technique can save your beloved boat from disaster. Here’s the ultimate guide to kedging—a time-tested method to free a grounded vessel.

What is Kedging?

Kedging involves using your anchor to pull your boat off a reef, sandbank, or rocks. It’s not about brute force but about leveraging wave action and patience to maneuver your boat back into deeper water.

Steps to Kedge Off Like a Pro

1. Deploy the Anchor in Deeper Water

• Get the anchor off the boat—via dinghy or swimming—and place it as far from the vessel as possible in deeper water.
• Ensure the anchor is set securely to provide leverage for pulling.

2. Choose Your Direction

• Decide whether to pull the boat forward or backward, depending on the situation. Use the windlass for forward movement or winches for pulling backward.

3. Use Controlled Tension

• Tighten the anchor line or chain slowly and steadily. Let the waves lift and move the boat while you reel in the slack.
• Avoid forcing the windlass or winch—they're there to assist, not to brute-force the boat free.

4. Leverage Wave Action

• As waves lift the boat, the tension in the line helps nudge the vessel off the obstruction. Tighten the line after each lift.

5. Shift Weight and Use Additional Anchors

• Shift crew weight or use a halyard to heel the boat and free the keel.
• Deploy a secondary anchor if needed for additional pulling power.

6. Act Quickly

• Time is critical—each wave can push the boat farther aground. Start kedging as soon as possible to minimize damage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Poor Anchor Placement

• Anchoring too close to the boat won’t provide enough leverage to free it.

2. Failure to Set the Anchor

• Ensure the anchor is firmly embedded before pulling, or you’ll waste valuable time.

3. Rushing the Process

• Stay calm. Adrenaline might tempt you to hurry, but careful execution is key.

Final Thoughts

Grounding happens to the best of sailors—it’s how you respond that matters. Mastering kedging can save your boat and prevent a minor mishap from becoming a total loss. Practice patience, follow the steps, and remember: boats can be replaced, but safety always comes first.