Embarrassing berthing

[Genie]

Hi folks
Well, just had a fantastic day taking the boat out and spending a sunny afternoon on the water - perfick.
get back to Marina and what an utter pigs ear I made of things - I know I'm a newbie but I was getting redder and redder as I could not get into our berth (the angle is a bit tight for a beginner but that's not an excuse).
about 8 mins went with us going to and fro and I'm sure there was quite a few supressed guffaws as each time I botched it royally up.
Eventually very pleasant old Yottie chap came over and very politely asked if we needed a hand which I gratefully accepted (thanks John!). Interestingly, non of the mobo brigade offered at all.
I'm very embarrassed /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif, but this was our first berthing in the Marina , so things can only get better from hereon (I hope!).
The chap who helped us out was very gracious and told us not to worry too much about stuffing it up, so we did feel better after that.
I'll look on the bright side and think that at least I made a new friend today! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Ain't boating great? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sgeir]

I know the feeling, but don't worry about what other people may think - they had to learn too. Even with experience, it's still all too easy to cock it up, especially if the wind/tide situation is tricky. Well, it's easy for me. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

PS: I guess from your location that empty berths may be a rarity, but if they are empty during the day, it's sometimes worthwhile practising by going in and out of different berths, trying different approaches, coming in on port, then next time on starboard. It all helps build up confidence.

 

[Whitelighter]

I know the feeling. And I bet that every poster on this forum with a boat also knows the feeling. Part of the fun is learning and you did the right thing by the sounds of it - took your time and accepted the offer of help when it was needed.

You will get the hang of it I promise - if I can drive a boat anyone can!

As for people watching and laughing, only a fool would be so brave to do that and tempt the wrath of the mooring Gods....

 

[Alrob]

we have all been there (and still muck it up sometimes) - dont let it get to you
can we presume your engine probs are sorted

 

[Poignard]

Do you realise that by confessing to this you have completely spoilt the innocent pleasure of some forumite [one of those who never makes a mistake] who would have enjoyed telling the world about it and trying to embarass you?

 

[bdsweeting]

I found that changes in the surroundings always led to a cock up by me.

My berth was third one in on the left, so to speak. A gentle glide in at idle revs, about 30% left rudder, neutral, straighten up and then kick it left again for a soft landing.

Now, if the boat that's normally moored at the end of the pontoons is out fishing then my sightlines have gone to pot and it never quite fits.

 

[Alrob]

that reminds me of the time I reversed perfectly into my berth only to be asked by SWMBO "why I had gone into my neighbours berth", DUH!!

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Frontier]

Think of it like this. You had a great time traing yourself to dock. It was all valuable experience. Unfortunately its all to easy to get a bit flustered and think that everyone is watching. In a way the leaving and mooring are the most interesting part of cruising, if we were smart we would just enjoy it. Occasionally I have remember this and just enjoyed the extra few minutes of boating.

Once at Gosport I thought I would just drop her into the allocated visitor berth. As I turned down the fairway towards the berth I noticed the current pushed me quit hard to port. So I thinks to myself, right when I get there I will turn just in time and the current will just push me in.

So much for that, where the berth was the current was going down the fairway, so I turned, it moved me and I was nicely lined up with the occupied berth nextdoor!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[emcm0025]

Done it aswell, first time in a marina and having just launched the boat, got so annoyed went to the brokers in the marina and tried to put the boat up for sale, broker said go have a drink it happens to everyone, and that was after the engine died and bumped one his boats which he seen, fenders are great

 

[rubberduck]

Tried to get into the temporary berth we were given sideways on Saturday, & right next to the marina bar as well /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[RogerRat]

[ QUOTE ]
You will get the hang of it I promise - if I can drive a boat anyone can! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As for people watching and laughing, only a fool would be so brave to do that and tempt the wrath of the mooring Gods.... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

So true, size 9 mouth, me! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[goochie]

Well I reckon that if anyone ever tells you they've never done it - they're lying through their teeth. I've never actually clunked anything (yet!) as I try to keep everything VERY slow, but last summer was the worst one. We'd been on the MBM cruise to Holland and I was feeling quite pleased with myself for handling the boat pretty well in front of much more experienced boaters, but after the return crossing I couldn't get it in my home berth. Well, did eventually of course, but only after much shouting at crew and self. Problem was it had been a long 8 hour trip from Belgium and we were all very tired, the usual teamwork just dissapeared!

 

[tcm]

ah well that's where you're wrong goochie.

For exmaple, I may well have clunked boats myself a fair bit but in fact I have always done this ON PURPOSE (including being annoyed by it - all an act) to ingratiate myself with crew and other people in the marina, and make me appear a regular sort of devil-may-care chap. Whereas in fact I have specifically wanged the boat exactly as I planned, and taken loads of courses training me to bash the boat or scrape the gelcoat precisely and accurately, time after time.

After all, nobody would have spoken with the original poster if he had come in and parked perfectly no problem would they? No. But now he has loads of mates!

In fact, it's quite likely that the original poster actually didn't wham his boat at all but is just *saying* he did for the same reason! And he's already flushed out Sgeir as a rice krispie (serial cruncher) who was obviously desperate for absolution.

 

[tome]

Yes, if you study the form you'll always be ahead on ridicule sympathy smaller boat charges versus gel repairs. Gel repairs are cheap if you save them all up for the end of the season, dang and yet dang again

Not that I've ever cocked it up, you understand

 

[Kawasaki]

So yer Bio says yer plays the Drums.
So coardination shouldn,t be a prob!
Tiss like playing the Drums somewhat is berthing.
Timing, rhythym, hitting the spot at the right time.
Play it slinky smooth like with brushes.
Cynbal really!
Oops! I ment Simple really.
Nearly snared me self.
Caress the Throttle, no Drum roll stuff.
No quick step, Rock and Roll Gig, more a sort of Walz type tempo.
Slow as yer can and lots of Fenders.
Big plastic ones, not the ones with strings and Frets!
Frets--- don,t fret as said everyone on ere has done it wrong and is still doing it.
Channel Isles yer based?
Well there,s always lots of wind and tide buzzing about down there it seems.
Same as up ere.
Takes time to get the feel of your boat.
Go practice outside the Marina where no one is looking.
Like as far away as you can, just like most people probably wanted you to do when learning the Drums!
Paradidle elswhere as it were!
Listen Shipmate weve all done it and are still doing it.
My little boat is dead easy to park but it takes 100% concentration each time.
The only time yer does is perfect there aint no one looking!
The Mobos that didn,t help were probably not looking anyway.
Peeps think that everyone is looking but most the time they aint.
Sea the Mobos that didn,t offer any help were probably pissed or worrying about thier engine and stuff.
The Raggie that helped would have been perfectly sober (cos they wont by anything cos the wind is free!) and was waiting to see You make a right balls up of it.
Then I bet He thought You would bung Him a free tinnie or wine or summat.
Yer gotta watch these Raggies Mate /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Ha - just brilliant. Now then K, remember Porthmadog? What you didn't realise is that when me and the yotties pitched up on the dock side, they were all a tad bemused by your antics. There you were nonchalently strolling around the side decks preparing your ropes and stuff and all the time Briza was drifting inward on the tide towards all sorts of expensive yacht stuff....

Initial comment: Is he OK?
He's going to hit "Tukela"
No, I don't think so...
Actually, he seems very relaxed...
I said: Yep, he is - leave him to it.

Sure enough K brings Briza alongside no worries.

Two good things about yotties:
1) They can park a yacht on a sixpence and give you 5p change
2) They are almost always helpful in getting moored.

Thats life on our pontoon anyway!

 

[SumWaves]

No Prob
Just Teaching Son Berthing At Brighton In Full View Of Many Day Trippers and Restauranteurs..After Many C Ups Interest Gathers On Shore.. Will This Be A Sinking or Bumper Cars With Other Boats
No Chance..After several attempts of stern mooring he got the hang of things..1 positive and 3 misses thats good for a start
He is eager to improve then I can pass the Captaincy ???
Stick with it.. if you c it up then turn round and try again
Sad to learn that the MBO did not help[

 

[bobgoode]

If you didn't break anything and noone got hurt or fell in then call it a good landing. After 20 yrs boating I scratched mine last weekend, not badly but we all do it from time to time.

 

[Kawasaki]

It might have looked Cool.
In fact I was Sh%tting Myself!
Bloody narrow it looked.
Antics were performed leaving, good job no one was looking.
I don,t think?
Must post the pics.
Been a bit busy mending and stuff.
Found out why She vibrates.
SWMBO doesn,t want to come on a big vibrator.
Don,t they get a bit boring when they get older?
Anyway should be mended soon, then I can take Her out to play again (BRIZA) that is.
Anyway.
Mooring is Boring
Untill 3 in the Morning
Then it,s dark and tericky
and You get all it all sh%tty
But no one cares ,cos there all tucked up.
And nobody knows You,ve just
F%cked up! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[billskip]

Solong as no damage is done and nobody gets hurt..treat it all as entertainment for others..You will be entertained the same way one day (its better than tv)
I am sure that you like others would not be Judgemental.

The times I have heard people shouting instructions "do this do that" standing on the dock..just smile and take help from the quiet guy that knows what its all about.

Never be embarrased treat it all as the fun of boating...the most important thing is no injury and no damage...no matter how many times you have to shunt around.

I have seen big motor boats big twin engins roaring like thunder radar on ..yellow wellies captains hat g&ts the lot going into the locks on the Thames ....and getting hung up when the water drops...as said its entertainment..

If it goes rite the first time "its skill" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif if it dosent "its bad luck" /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif