What causes you the most anxiety while on the water under power?

Hitting something submerged. Only came close once. We were out late watching fireworks and came back close to midnight. Cruising at about 5 MPH in very familiar water so I knew were all buoys, channel markers and bridges were. Unfortunately we hit a log or something. Threw it into neutral and waited a few seconds and all was fine. Yelled on the radio to the 2 dock neighbors behind us that were cruising pretty quick but they didn't hear me. One was in a 2015 310DA and the other in a 2008 Rinker 280 EC. The Rinker hit it pretty good but no damage was done. We were in our 1986 250DA.
A few weeks ago a dock neighbor had a 33' Baja with huge twins. They were coming back about midnight on plane and hit a channel marker and tore a big hole in the side and bent an output shaft. I didn't see the damage but it was out for awhile. It didn't sink. He fixed it and recently sold it
 
I am fine out on the water, but I get anxious when its time to dock. I have a 9' beam and about 10.5' or 11' of space between my finger and slip neighbor to back into. Things generally go well but when the breeze kicks up its nervewracking.
 
Blueone said:
Temperature.... I am always looking at gages..... and idiot sailboaters and phuckn fisherman
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This pretty much says it all. Having two cycle Detroits, TEMPERATURE is my biggest concern. Then having the anchor drag/pull while fast asleep...
 
I just had a memory of my second boat, a 2400 Maxum SCR, coming down a very narrow river, that I knew like the back of my hand but it was dark. Going idle speed because it was dark and I literally drove up onto a tree submerged in the water. I was a bit distracted cuz my nephews were with me talking.
 
The minute I start the motor all stress and anxiety go out the window. One thing that does get me a little anxious is when my mechanic tells me water is "pouring into the bilge" from around the thru hull exhaust ports. I knew I had more water getting into the bilge than normal from somewhere and suspected the bellows. Fortunately an easy fix, especially for me cause i'm just writing the check. He has to wrestle the ports out (they are installed with 5200 and bolts, the bolts are easy), clean them and reinstall.
 
I'm with Pirate. Cruising is my happy place. I could do it all F-ing day. Give me wind in my face and tunes blasting. All F-ing day. I can shoe horn this bitch in almost any dock without batting an eye.

Now, ask me to throw the hook....better give me a xanax. I do it every weekend, but it sends my anxiety through the F-ing roof. I'm always worried it isn't going to hold.

Tim
 
The fact that my boat is powered by EDC Volvos? I literally have no idea when or for what reason one of the engines will drop into limp mode and whether or not a simple reboot will correct the fault. I have been going thru the engine harnesses replacing the plugs with modern weather paks and the issues seem to be correcting.
 
Tim Fila said:
I'm with Pirate. Cruising is my happy place. I could do it all F-ing day. Give me wind in my face and tunes blasting. All F-ing day. I can shoe horn this bitch in almost any dock without batting an eye.

Now, ask me to throw the hook....better give me a xanax. I do it every weekend, but it sends my anxiety through the F-ing roof. I'm always worried it isn't going to hold.

Tim
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Same for me. Turns out I'm most happy when underway. Even when I had my 31 Bertram and went offshore fishing my ass would spend all 16hrs in the captains seat driving. My second favorite thing is docking. Man do I love doing that, especially at a waterfront restaurant with a big crowd. It's the next closest thing to coming in from the canyons to the weigh in station.
 
Honestly…

nothing.

I know what I’m doing, Imaintain my equipment, I have my cartography and all my safety gear as well as an epirb.

Ok, maybe the idiots around me (pontoon fu*kwits especially) are a bit of a bother, but when nobody is around I have no anxiety boating.

I agree with seanile. The docking in front of a crowd is the closest I’ll ever be to adoring fans cheering :D
 
Speaking of docking in front of a crowd. Went to our usual restaurant this weekend which was jam packed. Got waved into this insanely tight spot but wasn't worried at all. Slowly made my way down to the small open slip. Slowly turned the boat with the anchor coming within about 12" of the boat across from me and then proceeded to pivot into the slip.

I must have had a dozen dudes come up to me and give me a fist bump for doing such a great job, etc.

Most disappointing part.....not a single woman commented. No panties thrown my way, no flashing of the ta-tas.....nothing. Just a bunch of dudes who were apparently impressed with my docking skills.

Knew I should have stuck with that damn guitar back in 4th grade.
 
SeaNile said:
Same for me. Turns out I'm most happy when underway. Even when I had my 31 Bertram and went offshore fishing my ass would spend all 16hrs in the captains seat driving. My second favorite thing is docking. Man do I love doing that, especially at a waterfront restaurant with a big crowd. It's the next closest thing to coming in from the canyons to the weigh in station.
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Well you live in PA, so your 3rd favorite thing has to be paying taxes....
 
A newly arrived rich 25 year old immigrant from south America flying at 90 mph in his quad 39' open fisherman loaded with drunks playing salsa music. In other words, boating in Miami.
 
Pirate Lady said:
Nothing. Absolutely not a GD thing. If I had anxiety on the water I’d give it up, it’s my escape from anxiety. Engine broke? Get a tow. Boat sinking, we swim good.
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I'm with Pirate Lady on this one. When I unhooked the dock power and dock lines, all my worries were left on the dock. After 60+ years of boating I've pretty much experienced all of it.

And I gotta admit, I LOVE nailing a docking when there are a bunch of boaters on the dock! Oh, and a cold drink when we're all tied up! Not much beats that combination.
 
Hey there, great topic! For me, the most anxiety-inducing thing on the water under power is definitely navigating in unfamiliar areas, especially when it's crowded. It's easy to get disoriented. But, you know what's key? Taking it slow, being cautious, and always having safety gear on hand.

Also, I think it's important to mention that anxiety can affect us in various situations, including on the water. If you ever feel overwhelmed or need someone to talk to about anxiety or any mental health concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to national mental health resources. They're there to help and provide support.
 
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