This was a little embarassing

Gofirstclass

Gofirstclass

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,689
Tri Cities, WA
Boat Info
Boatless in WA
Engines
No motor
GW and I took the boat out for a few hours today and just anchored and did some cleaning and putzing around on the boat. We headed back after a few hours and slow cruised back toward my marina. When we got back there the wind was blowing about 10mph from the NW, not bad, but I had to change my approach to the slip as I backed in.

When I back in, my goal is to do a "no touch landing" where I manage to back it all the way into the slip and stop it before it comes to the back of the slip, and do that without touching either of the sides or the back end of the slip.

I was able to do that, and stopped the boat before it got to the back end of the slip. GW got off on the dock once the boat was stopped and was heading toward the bow to secure the bow line.

As she headed up the finger dock on the port side we heard some applause and cheering. I looked around and saw that it was coming from a wakeboard boat that was in the fairway behind my dock. There were 8 people in the boat and they were all standing and applauding and cheering my backing into the slip.

I was tickled but at the same time a bit embarrassed about the applause. They continued on down the fairway so when we got Beachcomber secured I walked down the dock and invited them over for a brewski. They were headed up to the restaurant but thanked me for the invitation. They gave me another short round of applause and several cheers of "Good Job" and other cheers.

Fun way to end the day.
 
I try not to make it obvious that I’m watching people when they’re docking to avoid making them feel self conscious.
But it’s hard not to notice, especially someone with great skills. I’ll also compliment a great job in tough conditions.
If I’m on the dock and a boat is backing in near me I’ll go grab a tossed line from them once they are safely inside the slip and put a quick wrap on it to give the skipper time to step off and secure his lines. My kids are trained to do the same.
Particularly when the wind is pushing them back out of the slip. Afternoon winds can be killer around here.
I really appreciate when someone does the same for me.
If they’re having trouble getting in I lay back and keep my mouth shut unless they make it obvious they need someone to grab a line to help pull them in.
In general, I refrain from offering direction from the dock to a Captain who is having a tough time. But I will caution his well meaning passengers to keep their limbs inside the boat if I see them trying to hold the boat off of something with an arm or leg.
If I’m not alone on my boat I’ll deputize a Mate to handle that first line for me. Usually my wife or one of my grown kids. But I ask all passengers to remain seated until the boat is secure at the dock, especially guests who are not experienced boaters. Even if I don’t have someone else aboard to do it I’d rather just do it myself. I find they’re attempts to help often cause more harm than good and sometimes create potentially dangerous situations.
 
In order to maintain balance in the universe, FirstClass, I botched a perfectly good docking opportunity for you on Sunday. A complete abort and redo.

I can only assume there was some good docking karma that I generated with such an assault on my dock. And you sir, perhaps you were the recipient of said karma. :)
 
Stee6043 said:
In order to maintain balance in the universe, FirstClass, I botched a perfectly good docking opportunity for you on Sunday. A complete abort and redo.

I can only assume there was some good docking karma that I generated with such an assault on my dock. And you sir, perhaps you were the recipient of said karma. :)
Click to expand...
Anytime you feel like sending some of that my way, I'm ready for it! :)
 
Very cool. I had the marina owner standing at my dock one day when I backed it in and he commented about how he couldn't believe how good I did. Had a couple others make comments like 'you don't need us here to help you'. I pull past my slip then barely catch reverse then turn around and face the back of thr boat and steer behind my back. Makes it pretty easy. Plus I'm up against the downriver finger so makes it a little less stressful.
 
As I look back on that impromptu cheering section, I didn't even know they were there until GW had stepped off the boat onto the dock. That's when the applause and cheering started.

It sorta put a nice cap on what already was a great day on the water. Good weather, good tunes, some long overdue cleaning that got done and a nice, slow cruise back to the slip.

Sheesa no get no mo bedda dan dat!
 
It always seems like the wind is blowing on my port or starboard side after I do my spin . This past weekend winds were 15-25 mph. Did my normal approach knowing full well it likely wouldn't happen because the wind would catch it broadside. Wind turned me around, backed into the wind, and right in I went.
 
Those are normal summer afternoon wind conditions around here.
You made the wind your friend!
It’s always great when you can do that.
Took me a while to get the hang of it. Still trying to master it though.
Had a friend (RIP Joe) who could handle his 1990 420 Sundancer like a pro anytime, place or conditions.
His home slip was an impossible situation for all but the best of boat handlers.
I remember being on his boat and him always saying “the wind is your friend”.
 
Last edited:
JVM225 said:
You made the wind your friend!
Took me a while to get the hang of that.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the concept isn't hard. My stipulation is that it always seems hard to come down the fairway, stop, spin, and then back in given my wind conditions.
 
I find myself with more “practice approaches”, “touch and gos”, and “go arounds”! Just kidding.




...but seriously.
 
I've always said there's no shame in a missed approach and if I don't feel my approach is perfect I'll pull away and start over.

Here's how I usually come in...
Docking.png


With our normal SW wind I back directly upwind until the stern of the boat is just barely outside the slip, and I try to back where I'm just barely upwind of the slip opening.

Then when the boat gets to that point where I'm right at the opening to the slip I'll take the port shifter out of gear and give a little throttle to the stbd engine, still in reverse. That usually brings the boat around so it's lined up with the slip, at which time I go back to idle on the stbd side and put the port shifter into reverse.

Sounds harder than it is, but I love it when it all comes together and I can do a "no touch landing".

Applause helps! :cool:
 
Gofirstclass said:
I've always said there's no shame in a missed approach and if I don't feel my approach is perfect I'll pull away and start over.

Here's how I usually come in...
Docking.png


With our normal SW wind I back directly upwind until the stern of the boat is just barely outside the slip, and I try to back where I'm just barely upwind of the slip opening.

Then when the boat gets to that point where I'm right at the opening to the slip I'll take the port shifter out of gear and give a little throttle to the stbd engine, still in reverse. That usually brings the boat around so it's lined up with the slip, at which time I go back to idle on the stbd side and put the port shifter into reverse.

Sounds harder than it is, but I love it when it all comes together and I can do a "no touch landing".

Applause helps! :cool:
Click to expand...

That's exactly how the wind blows at my dock except I have to run down the fairway bow into the wind off my starboard (I'm close to the end). So when I spin, it usually blows me off course. When I spin around and back in like you illustrated, it is definitely easier.
 
Doug, I'm lucky because there's no fairway I have to deal with. There are no docks on the open end of my slip. Just about 1/4 mile of water until I'm clear of the no-wake zone, then a bridge.
 
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