14' boat through 15' gap - feasible?

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Cymraeg

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14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

I've found a marina relatively close to my next potential place of work ..... trouble is it was designed for narrow boats, and so the entrance channel is only 15 foot wide. Would it be feasible to take a 14 foot beam boat through that gap? Any ideas on how it might best be achieved, as there isn't room for the usual plethora of fenders, and it would be preferable not to scratch the GRP of the boat? This is totally theoretical at the moment because I have neither the job nor the boat, but I would like to be prepared! Any ideas or advice (except maybe "Don't"!!) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance...
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

Lash canvas 'screens' to the gunnels on both sides - you'll see them inside the fenders of some marina-based boats whose owners care more for their topsides than I do!
Any sailmaker will supply.
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

If you haven't got the boat yet, how do you know it will have a 14' beam. Why not look for one with a smaller beam?
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

[ QUOTE ]
Post deleted 'cos i sounded like a pompus prat, & im not suposed to let on...

[/ QUOTE ]

It's OK mate, we rumbled you ages ago, but didn't want to let on either! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

Right, now you've heard from the eggspurts it's my turn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
First boat is, and still is, a Birchwood 25 Interceptor
Wife liked the boat but didn't like some things on her.
First mooring was at an inland marina, with lock gate to control depth inside.
First time out we had to check the gap and found only inches clearance /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Learned a lot since then /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
When we finally made it to the gate, worra laugh trying to control a boat on an outdrive leg when you're used to rudder /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Scraped out and left rubber on the gate side, well I didn't like that rubber anyway, she says /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Then we got to a bridge, plenty clear says she /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Well I never did like that ickle wooden mast thing on the roof, says she /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Crunched and graunched through to t'other side and then looked at the damage /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
She was right though, stainless mast looks so much better /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Gawd if I ever get around to writing the whole story I'm sure I'll be shot at dawn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Hope Dawn doesn't mind though /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

Get few mates together and "walk" the boat very very slowly through the narrow bit.
A bod on each quarter should be fine and somebody "in charge" to spot when you are coming a bit close to anything is ideal.
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

"If you haven't got the boat yet, how do you know it will have a 14' beam. Why not look for one with a smaller beam?"

The style of boats that I've been looking at are all around the 40'+ LOA mark, which tends to give a beam of around 14'. I want a sea boat, it's just that this marina is ideally located for work, with access to open sea.

Thanks for all the replies so far, some good suggestions which I wouldn't have thought of (carpet for one).
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

Take a tip from the Baltic based boats. Here they have "box" moorings, consisting of two piles and a pontoon. Tie up either bow or stern to the pontoon and to the piles.

When tying up it's impossible to keep fenders in place against the piles. So, all boats have a heavy warp which they lower to cover the topsides. The warp covers about 3/4 of the length of the boat.

This is probably as clear as mud.
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

Just a thought...If the entrance is only 15' wide, do they have berths suitable for a beamy 40-footer?
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

Hi,

Yes, the berths are 15' wide also ..... but intended for two narrow boats with a 1' gap between /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I've had a word and a wander around the marina and it's possible to have a 'double' berth for 1.5 times the charges - which is another reason I'm keen 'cos that means a pontoon on both sides of the boat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

C_Playa - the channel's about 10' long and it was certainly breezy the day I was there, directly on the nose when entering the marina, but no swells as it is on the canal system.

Thanks for everyone's input.
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

When they take the 100ft gin palaces into Chelsea dock where they have the same problem they use thick carpet each side of the boat.
 
Re: 14\' boat through 15\' gap - feasible?

Its possible. The flood lock on the entrance gate to our marina is 15ft wide. They take 14ft boats through there. Just takes some nerve and plenty of practice.
 
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