Docking paranoia. (yes they ARE watching)

[deniseO30]

and talking about you and pointing and laughing! .. and when you pulled up you thought they weren't? So, why you are so worried about "them"?

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After almost 2yrs. (my yacht club has bar room that has windows looking down on the docks) of that worry. I can honestly say it doesn't bother me anymore. (ok I lie a little! ) Now when I'm there and get caught up watching newbies struggle I kindly offer to help. But I'm also aware of the "I can do it and don't need your help" attitude some people have.

Watching power boats coming in "hot" is a major attraction to sailboaters. and power boaters love to watch sailboaters inch thier way in. I sometimes still get caught up in watching the show, then realize it's not nice and saunter off.

Having river experiance "lining" canoes up and down rapids I've actually adapted that way of handling my 30ftr by having the bow line long enough to reach the cockpit (not the prop) and tied to the lifeline with a slip knot. When I "jump" the stern line is in hand and with a quick tug after bow line is also. I don't jump until I'm sure the boat is still. If a person offers to help I make sure they get the bow line because some don't realize the current will quickly spin the boat if they get the stern line. My boat also has midship cleats but I dont use them much. Our docks have padding so the bumpers don't have to be deployed until after tying up.

I must say when I hear: "Hey Denise you handle that boat ok!" gives me a warm feeling inside. I let my militant feelings stay dormant now when it's a male person offering his "approval" Unless he says: "I was watching" Guess I'm finally getting mellowed out

ok so it's raining today and home!

fair winds

Denise

[jaschrumpf]

I've always put "watching others docking" into the same category as watching golfers come in on the 18th green. Sometimes you admire, sometimes you laugh. But we all have to do it while others are watching.

There's a reason both marinas and golf courses have the bars overlooking where everybody comes in.

[PBzeer]

I quit keeping track of my do-overs ... I ran out of fingers and toes to count on. While there is a certain amount of pride in bringing the boat in sharply, I quit worrying about the times when I don't.

[NOLAsailing]

Docking the boat can be horrifying for some people. I can't help but watch though.

I'm also aware of the "I can do it and don't need your help" attitude some people have.

I'm that way if I don't know the person. It's not that I don't appreciate the offer, it's just that I've learned the hard way that not everyone knows what they are doing. It's easier and safer for the boat if I do it myself. I don't have to watch the other guy.

The same goes for crew on the boat. If they don't have a feel for what they are doing, I would rather they relax in the cockpit. It took a couple times of having the crew throw the line off way before we were ready to go before it occurred to me that there needs to be a little bit of knowledge before someone assists with docking.

No hard feelings if I ever turn away help!

[sailingdog]

There's one powerboat at my marina, when they come in...everyone around runs over to help... he's a disaster in the making... When he doesn't have dockside assistance, he's managed to hit at least four other boats... over the course of the last month. We're just fortunate that he's on the outermost row of docks. No real damage yet... and we're hoping to keep it that way. He is getting better now though.

[deniseO30]

is listening to the "posturing" when on-lookers start saying things like: "oh he/she still doesn't know which way the current is running" or: "hahaha look at that darn near hit so and so's boat!" But yet they dont offer to help. this has been an iteresting thread I musts say!
thanks!

[sailhog]

It's always worth watching others do something that requires some skill -- whether it's docking, reefing, gibing gently, or what have you. Snickering is for losers. When I watch porn, I don't laugh and say, "I could have done THAT better."

[welshwind]

As much as I appreciate the thought when people come to help, if I have my full crew I'd much rather just have them stand by. My crew and I have docking down pretty pat and, with other people trying to help, it throws off the routine and causes more issues than it is worth. If I'm short-handed, I'll take help. However, I'll never throw them the bow line. Most of the time the unknown help will get the line attached to the mid-cleat. That way, they can't pull it in too tight and cause the stern to swing out from the dock!

[TrueBlue]

Jason (NOLAsailing) and welshwind expressed my thoughts on the: "I can do it and don't need your help" attitude". Unless there's a gale blowing and I'm coming in single-handed, I usually prefer to not have any dockside assistance from strangers.

I know how my boat behaves in just about every condition, and plan my docking approach accordingly. So often some bystander who doesn't know my docking style, will see my 9 ton boat angling into the dock and actually run "to my rescue". He usually grabs the bow rail - and pushes it away, thinking I'm on a collision course.

This is part of my technique - since as I make my angled approach, I reverse the engine and the paddlewheel effect on my left handed prop will straighten out the bow and kick the stern in. I then gently nudge in and kiss the dock - not the case when the clueless dockhand inadvertently pushes me away.

[sailortjk1]

Originally Posted by welshwind

However, I'll never throw them the bow line. Most of the time the unknown help will get the line attached to the mid-cleat. That way, they can't pull it in too tight and cause the stern to swing out from the dock!

Everybody always wants to pull the damn bow in.
Thats the skinny part of the boat, pull in the fat part.
I have to tell any newcomer trying to help.
Bow Out, Stern In.

It never works, they always grab the bow and pull as hard as they can.

I much prefer docking with just my wife and me on our slip.
The dock lines are already attached to the finger pier. I pull in, she grabs the spring with a boat hook, and I use prop walk to settle the stern.

Still get a little nervous when every anybody is watching, but everybody in our Marina is usually very helpful. We all help each other, especially on windy days.