Storm Damage, Small Favors, and Perspective

[WanderingStar]

I went to the yard yesterday to put the boat on the mooring. I'd already moved the boat to the outer dock to provide room for the summer resident of my winter dock. We had storms here over the weekend, I was dismayed to see the side of my boat badly gouged. One fender had parted it's line, the others might have blown or rolled up as the boat heeled against the dock. The yard wasn't helpful: "You need bigger fenders"
"Last year you told me I needed these fenders" (they don't sell fenders).
Worse, I noticed that someting floating must have come along side and put a gouge in the bow, below the water. I quickly puttied the topsides damage, went for a short sail, and managed to pick up the mooring under sail on the third try. Still, it wasn't a great day. On my way home I looked out over the harbor (as always) and noticed something white and unbirdlike on the marsh along the road. It was my fender. A small victory, but cheering. Later at home, the news was reporting on the very storm that had swept across America: people killed, homes destroyed. Suddenly my damage seemed insignificant. I was very sorry for those homeless and grieving. I feel fortunate to be alive and unscathed.
I'm learning (still) to count my blessings.

[smackdaddy]

Sorry about your boat star - but glad you're able to keep it in perspective. Good on you.

How deep is the damage at the bow?

[WanderingStar]

About 1/4", but that leaves a solid inch of planking. I'm looking at in water repairs.

[Faster]

Sorry to hear of the damage, WS, but you're right.. I reckon others have much bigger problems this morning.

I hope that's the full extent of the damage to your boat.

[blt2ski]

Or compare to damage in Japan after the quake/tsunami...... Your doing good!

Yes at times, even though some things are rough for me right now, I do have to count blessings at times, I'm doing pretty good, could be worst, may still get worst.......then again, need to keep positive.

Marty

[Minnewaska]

Next winter, I would ask if I could horizontally screw the fenders directly to the dock, rather than tie to the boat. The more the merrier. Just be sure they never come in contact with the water.

Sorry about the damage. Been there.

[PCP]

Sorry to hear that

I don't remember of any year with so many freak weather around the globe and hurricane season is still coming.

Regards

Paulo

[bljones]

Thanks for the perspective, Wandering. Sorry to hear about the damage.

[WanderingStar]

Thanks guys. Really it ended up being a good moment that I wanted to share'
Minne, that's a good idea, it's the dock that does the harm. My boat was only in that spot for three days, but it's the dock that does the harm, and that stays still.

[Gladrags1]

Too bad to hear about the damage to your boat. Hopefully the repair won't be too extensive. Sounds like you have it in good perspective.

As far a Monday morning quarterbacking; how did you position the fenders? If you had them horizontally deployed they stay in place laterally against the piling but tend to roll and pop out in big wave conditions. Deploying them vertically, as I said before, they tend to move from side to side and, if you are up against a piling, they would soon be out of position. I would suggest a fender board that is constructed by having 2 vertically deployed fenders side by side (about 3' of separation) with a 2 x 4 mounted across horizontally. The board would be outside the fenders and up against the piling. Thusly, the fenders would have greatest lateral stability against the piling on the dock and they would not roll out from up top if deployed horizontally. I would construct it myself rather that get the ones sold commercially as the ones I've seen don't stand off from the boat enough. Contact me if you want some detailed instruction on how to make them.

Tod