Marina Problems

OhioSailor · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

I just started mooring at a local marina and some problems have developed. A week after I was on the buoy, my jib came loose during a storm and was left flapping for two days with significant damage to the sail. The marina was notified. Nobody tried to tie down the sail and I was never notified. After I spoke with the marina, they seem disinterested and didn't even offer an apology. Since I have little experience with marina behavior, could you all comment on this?

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

That's unfortunate, but many marinas don't have a caretaker role in what they consider their responsibilities. The better marinas and yacht clubs would have had someone try to at least contact you, if not try to secure the flapping jib.

However, given that you're on a mooring, which may not have been safely accessible during the storm, unlike a boat on in a slip, they may have chosen not to try and secure the sail. That is part of the risk of being on a mooring, which is less expensive than a slip. The fact that the jib was loose may have been forgotten or overlooked after the storm. However, none of that mitigates the fact that they didn't call you IMHO.

sailortjk1 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

Wow, that sucks.
A lot of marinas will tell you that they are not responsible for any damage to your boat. You have to take the responsiblity to make sure it is properly moored and that everything is secure for anything that might come along. The marina is responsible for is the ground takle, chain and bouy. However, I believe a simple phone call would have been in order.
If your leaving the boat for an extended period an easy insurance pratice is to simply wrap and tie the rolled up Genny with a short piece of spare line.

Edit: (Too Late, the Dog and I think a lot alike)

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

I, like TJK suggests, usually put a sail tie around the genoa if I'm leaving the boat for a while. I also generally have four wraps of the genny sheets around the furled genny... so it is very, very unlikely that my genny will unwrap in a storm. The genny sheets are cleated off in the cockpit, and the sail tie goes through the clew of the genny and around the sail three or four times as well.

knothead · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhioSailor

I just started mooring at a local marina and some problems have developed. A week after I was on the buoy, my jib came loose during a storm and was left flapping for two days with significant damage to the sail. The marina was notified. Nobody tried to tie down the sail and I was never notified. After I spoke with the marina, they seem disinterested and didn't even offer an apology. Since I have little experience with marina behavior, could you all comment on this?

If a fellow sailor found themselves in a position to prevent an occurrence like that they would probably jump at the chance. If only to have the opportunity to lecture you later about how to secure your furling lines and sheets. But unless you had an understanding or agreement with the marina to that effect, I am not surprised they did nothing.

Unfortunately, being at a mooring makes it difficult for anyone to help. As you mentioned, this happened during a storm. Someone would have had to brave the wind and waves in a dingy just to save your headsail.

Unlikely for a fellow sailor. Unheard of for a marina employee.

Can't think of any good reason that they couldn't give you a call though.

BarryL · #6 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

Hello,

This will be my 5th year of having a boat on a mooring.

One time during my first year, I went to my boat, and noticed the mainsail cover was tied on rather differently than I had left it. Later, the guy right behind me told me that during a windy evening, my sailcover started to blow off and the main to come loose. Fortunately for me, the owner of the boat head of me was on his boat, saw what was happening, went to my boat, and secured the sail. I left a case of beer on his boat the next time I had the chance. A year later I really repaid him. I dingy'ed to my boat and noticed his was really low in the water. Peeking through the ports I saw water over the cabin sole. I notified the marina, they called him, and he came out and fixed the bilge pump (it was an older wooden boat with a lot of leaks).

Since that time, I have helped (and seen others help) a few boats when I saw loose headsails, chafing mooring pendants, etc.

In my harbor, I haven't seen the marina operators help, but I have seen fellow boaters help.

IMHO, you are expecting too much if you think the marina operators will do anything to help your boat. When you're on a mooring you're on your own.

Good luck,
Barry

OhioSailor · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Thanks for all the replies, I think this helps alot.

When I left the boat the previous weekend, I had several turns of the jib sheet around the furled sail. Furthermore, just above the clew, there was a line that I tied around the whole thing. The jib sheets and furling line were both cleated.
The wind was strong and must have unfurled the sail. The whipping was significant and broke the clevis pin loose on the jib sheet. Sail must have been whipping around significantly to cause all the tearing. This went on for two days after the marina was notified. I find this unacceptable. If my neighbors boat was in jeaopardy, I would certainly try to help or get help.

So, far I am trying to salvage the jib with nylon thread and lockstitches. There are a few areas that I have used nylon adhesive patches. I will put it through the motions this season and let you all know if the repair holds up.

rireefguy · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

I have an interesting story on the other side. I belong to a great YC in RI. Everyone is very helpful. I got to the club on a Saturday last year during a blow and my friend and I saw a small (16-18') hunter with it's headsail flapping in the mooring field. We asked the launch driver to take us out to the boat.. He was not impressed but agreed. The roller furling was all knotted up and we were flopping around like crazy. We did what we could and got it tied down a lot better than it was. When we got back, we found out that the office had been calling the owner for over a week to let him know what was going on. Had I known that, I wouldn't have risked the bath on a snotty day. I wonder if that is why some places stopped calling/trying to help.

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Ohiosailor-

If you had the sheets wrapped around the furler, and the sheets and furling line cleated off properly, how did the sail unfurl. I can't see how that would happen if you had several turns of the jib sheets around the furled sail. Even very strong winds, up to 60 mph or a bit higher, haven't done anything like that on my boat. It sounds like the furling line came loose—or you wouldn't have the slack to unwrap the sail to any degree.

I wouldn't use nylon thread and nylon patches to repair the sail. I'd use sailcloth and tenara thread (gore-tex based).

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhioSailor

Thanks for all the replies, I think this helps alot.

When I left the boat the previous weekend, I had several turns of the jib sheet around the furled sail. Furthermore, just above the clew, there was a line that I tied around the whole thing. The jib sheets and furling line were both cleated.
The wind was strong and must have unfurled the sail. The whipping was significant and broke the clevis pin loose on the jib sheet. Sail must have been whipping around significantly to cause all the tearing. This went on for two days after the marina was notified. I find this unacceptable. If my neighbors boat was in jeaopardy, I would certainly try to help or get help.

So, far I am trying to salvage the jib with nylon thread and lockstitches. There are a few areas that I have used nylon adhesive patches. I will put it through the motions this season and let you all know if the repair holds up.

chucklesR · #10 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Expecting someone else to fix even an obvious problem is a sure way to disappointment.
Most sailors would have leaped onboard and fixed it, or at least inquired at the Marina office as to whether or not you had been called. It's the neighborly thing to do. Check your contract and see what it says about notification. My educated guess is zippo - nada. They are not there 24/7 and therefore take no responsibility. In todays litigious world of lawyers and such the cry's of 'they didn't call me but they called 2 other boats and are therefore responsible for my boat's damage' I can say with certainity you probably have a clause that specifically says they take no responsibility to correct, or notify of problems.

Ask yourself tho (ohiosailor and others) would you dinghy out in a storm, climb up the 6 ft freeboard, inch forward and secure a flapping jib in a 30kt blow on someone elses boat?
Some would (I've pumped out neighbor's boats pretty often), some would not. Thank them that do, but cast not stones at them that don't - evil glances are better than stones