Acorn To Arabella · video

What this video covers

The 38-ft wooden boat Arabella runs aground in the mud while approaching a yacht club near Seaford, Virginia, at low tide.7:39 The crew waits for the rising tide to refloat the vessel before proceeding to a dock to restock supplies.7:55 In preparation for navigating the Dismal Swamp Canal and the Intracoastal Waterway, the crew relocates a 45-lb anchor from the bow to the stern.10:55 This configuration allows for rapid deployment in tight, congested areas where limited swing room prevents the use of a standard bow anchor.14:22 The setup includes a breakout line rigged to a cleat and a Mantis Dyneema snubber to secure the chain.13:36 While transiting the busy waters near Norfolk, the crew monitors AIS and visual markers to navigate heavy commercial, naval, and recreational traffic.18:03 The vessel successfully clears several train bridges and locks while heading south toward the Dismal Swamp.20:46

More from Acorn To Arabella

We Stripped Our Wooden Sailboat Back to Bare Wood... AgainOct 2026Saying Goodbye to Newfoundland—and the Man Who Inspired ArabellaSep 2026Upgrading the Rudder and Another Trek To The CliffAug 2026We're Climbing a Wall No One Has Ever Climbed Before | Rock Climbing on Newfoundland's South CoastJul 2026

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