Couldn't get my boat back into the slip!

[mrsrobinson]

I usually prefer to dock by myself as I have a routine. Now when we go to a marina for a trip, and it's my first time there, different story.

My current slip has pilons on both sides and I use them to turn the boat when needed. One of the last slips was an open slip for 2 boats, no pilon in the middle. Short finger piers as well. I nailed it every time. @douglee25 that's the marina and slip where you met me that one time to look at the stereo. Luckily I was good friends with slip mates, but never bumped into them.

 

[Little Ducky]

I didn't read that entire thread ......

I think you made the right decision.

I've had to land a bit sideways and pivot myself into my slip a few times but there are so many outboards and anchors sticking out past the dock on the neighboring slips, I would hate to make contact and hurt anyone elses boat.

 

[Sicktght311]

I feel for you! Its looking like this year, just like last year, i'm looking at 20+ MPH gusts on the day i have to move my boat from winter storage to my summer slip, which means docking in high winds without any pre-set lines. The only good thing is that because its so early in the season, our dock is usually pretty empty, so i have plenty of room to whip it into the slip without much concern for other boats. Last year was our first full season with the boat so it took 4 or 5 tries to get the boat in the slip far enough to grab a cleat and tie up the back to hold it in place while i get some lines set. Hopefully this year goes way easier now that i'm more comfortable on the controls.

Had another day out last season when the winds were even stronger, and we had to tie up in a marina for the weekend to hang with friends, and i got blown practically sideways on attempt number 1. Got it on number 2 with much cursing and yelling back and forth with my wife. Nerve wracking for sure

 

[TonyQSC500]

I got stuck in the public dock at Put N Bay once when we had our 340 AJ. There were boats tight in front and behind us and every time id get the boat away from the dock the wind would blow me right back. After about 2 minutes a crowd gathered. Owner of the most embarrassing moments for me as a captain. Eventually I was able to get the boat out but not before hurting my pride quit a bit.

 

[Morgan Jane]

A little tid bit an old salty captain told me once. He said "Son, a bird will always stand facing the wind. As soon as you get near the marina, find a bird somewhere at rest. Now you know which way the wind is blowing".

 

[Stee6043]

A little tid bit a old salty captain told me once. He said "Son, a bird will always stand facing the wind. As soon as you get near the marina, find a bird somewhere at rest. Now you know which way the wind is blowing".

With my aging eyesight I think I'm better off finding the closest flag!

 

[370Dancer]

My burgee IS my bow thruster. Use the elements, or wait until you can.

 

[mrsrobinson]

From the Space Launch thread: When docking our boats we sometimes "experience a "rapid unscheduled wind gust""

 

[Blueone]

A little tid bit an old salty captain told me once. He said "Son, a bird will always stand facing the wind. As soon as you get near the marina, find a bird somewhere at rest. Now you know which way the wind is blowing".

Thats a new one....never heard that before

 

[highslice]

A little tid bit an old salty captain told me once. He said "Son, a bird will always stand facing the wind. As soon as you get near the marina, find a bird somewhere at rest. Now you know which way the wind is blowing".

I can never find a bird when I need one.

 

[Blueone]

I can never find a bird when I need one.

And if you do find one it’s rarely at rest

 

[copb8tx]

I can never find a bird when I need one.

Wash your car. They'll be everywhere.

Just finished washing my car to go to a show. It was outside for less than an hour and this happened. I hate nature.

 

[highslice]

Wash your car. They'll be everywhere.

Just finished washing my car to go to a show. It was outside for less than an hour and this happened. I hate nature.

View attachment 143155

Didn't you destroy the roof of that car with your garage door?

You are correct about the car. Seems like every time I take my car through the car wash it gets shit on by a bird that is NOT at rest. But I don't see them at the marina very often.

 

[Steve S]

Wash your car. They'll be everywhere.

Just finished washing my car to go to a show. It was outside for less than an hour and this happened. I hate nature.

View attachment 143155

 

[copb8tx]

Didn't you destroy the roof of that car with your garage door?/QUOTE]

It was the hood that got scratched and not really that bad. Just in the center of the black stripe up the middle.

 

[TonyQSC500]

Wash your car. They'll be everywhere.

Just finished washing my car to go to a show. It was outside for less than an hour and this happened. I hate nature.

View attachment 143155

The birds kept pooping on my truck at work so I bought rubber snakes and they quit…. For now until they figure it out.lol

 

[mrsrobinson]

Went to the boat today, the sparrows are back, oh boy.