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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:	SAILING
Notice:	Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:	UNIFIX::BERENS

Created:	Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:	Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2299
Total number of notes:	20724

2076.0. "Docking etiquette" by HYDRA::GERSTLE (Carl Gerstle) Tue Aug 24 1993 17:35

    I have what amounts to a docking etiquette question - how best to deal
    with a slip-mate who is unable to properly dock his/her boat? In the
    marina where I dock my sloop, there are two boats in each slip (the
    slips are 25 feet wide). The powerboat next to me has repeatedly
    demonstrated his inability to dock without hitting my boat.

    While I make every effort to be around to help him dock, I should not
    have to... right? He _ought_ to be able to dock nicely as the typical
    wind during the summer drives him down into his side of the slip. His
    boat is a twin-screw which, by rights, ought to make control a lot
    easier than a single-screw sailboat. His excuse for not being able to
    keep to his side of the slip is that both screws turn the same
    direction, so he has little control at low speed. I contend that is
    bunk - that he ought to learn to use differential thrust to control the
    boat.

    At any rate, he approaches the slip with no lines ready, few, if any,
    fenders ready, and little apparent care for what he taps on the way to
    tying up. Happily for me, I was onboard (below) in May this year when
    he came in and needed to fend off. He did so - with a boat hook, into
    my hull! Didn't make any attempt to use fenders, or to fend off against
    my metal toe-rail. As I was there to witness the hit, the result was an
    insurance claim against him for $500 in damage.

    A slip neighbor has witnessed him hitting my boat on nearly every
    docking attempt in the last two years and I have had enough! The marina
    claims that they can do nothing because he rents his slip from a third
    party. The third party claims there is nothing he can do either.

    I am looking for suggestions as to how to deal with this unpleasant
    situation. Must I really place fenderboards along the entire starboard
    side of my boat???

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2076.1	Fender Defense	TOLKIN::HILL		`Tue Aug 24 1993 17:51`	6
	I was in a marina at South West Harbor in Maine this Summer. The boat beside me had a number of big red round fenders out on his outboard side. Since the slip is used for transients that was his defense. I wish you well in solving your problem.
2076.2	Here comes World War 3	RDGENG::BEVAN		`Wed Aug 25 1993 05:01`	7
	Seems like you have to either move or deal with the reality of the problem. I've seen other folk use fender-boards in your situation. I'd pick a real dirty greasy old plank with a few rusty old nails sticking out towards your neighbour (I ain't a pacifist). Use a fender skirt to stop the muck getting on your hull. Maybe your neighbour will suddenly develop some basic boat handling skills after he's messed up HIS hull a few times. Stop using the boards if he takes the hint.
2076.3	There is Someone!	OTOOA::MOWBRAY	This isn't a job its an Adventure	`Wed Aug 25 1993 08:02`	15
	I am sure that you must have considered this but someone out there is responsible for behaviour in the marina. Failing finding the responsible person, I would be inclined to contact both my insurance company and his to raise the issue, perhaps write a letter expressing your concern on an on-going basis ansd ask their help. The insurance company (when forwarned) will work to save themselves money. In our case, our club has a Wharf Committee that such a complaint would be raised with. In the past, we have moved people who are having problems with tying up to easy/distant spots and have discussed refusing to lease berths with the real bad ones. Failing all of the above, buy my Steel Boat and keep your lines slack.
2076.4	Fenders is the way to go.	SALEM::GILMAN		`Wed Aug 25 1993 16:45`	16
	Yes, he 'should' be able to handle his boat, but he won't, or can't. Given that you have several choices: 1. Complain (but that isn't working) I bet it won't make any difference to complain to the insurance companies either. 2. Move your boat to a different slip. 3. Put fenders out on YOUR boat (with or without the recommended outward facing nails). I would be carefull with this one...if you appear to be TRYING to inflict damage on him you won't have much chance in any insurance claims of his against YOU so I would leave the nails out. Jeff
2076.5	A little humiliation may work	STAR::KENNEY		`Wed Aug 25 1993 19:56`	8
	Get him a copy of a book on boat handling. I have a good one full of examples and it was only about $10 or so. Not so subtle a hint and if he even skims it his skills will improve. Even better present to him in front of a crowd of folks. Forrest
2076.6	Capt Crunch award	SUBSYS::CHESTER		`Wed Aug 25 1993 21:05`	23
	Leave a box of "Capt Crunch" (a breakfast cereal)on his boat every weekend in plain sight for all to see. Worked at my place. Try swapping sides of the slip with him. If it will only back in one direction. Be on the other side. Move to a new slip. Just tell the marina you will be back next year only if you are in a different slip away from this person. I doubt business is so good that they are willing to turn away paying customers. Or work through your insurance company and lawer to send him a bill for every bit of damage. A twin engine power boat with non-counter roating props is a very rare one indeed. I wonder if it has one one rudder? If it has one rudder and two props turning in the same direction there is almost no control in reverse. KC
2076.7	Wrong Story	NWD002::SASLOW_ST	STEVE	`Fri Sep 03 1993 13:25`	8
	A twin screw power boat without counter rotating screws was the norm in I/O boats in the late 70s and early 80s. Only Volvo had counter rotating I/Os in those days. OMC and Mercruiser (the two biggest makers) did not. I owned a 28' twin mercruiser without counter rotation. This guy is totally off base, It handled almost like a twin screw inboard boat with counter rotating props. It just did it a little better in one direction. He should be able to handle that boat easily. He needs lessons for sure.