How long does it take to become experienced

[cliffdale]

I'm too scared to go into a tight marina spot in a force 4 and above!!

At Falmouth I was put on to a berth which was turn left and your berth is half way down on the right.

The width between the pontoons is about 45', I know this as I had about 5' clearance off the bow and stern as I made the turn into a finger berth. There was only about 15 inches clearance between the next boat. I found it tight in settled weather but I would not attempt it in any strong cross wind.

I have had tuition but this was in settled weather. It must take a lot of practice to get in and out of some places in strong cross winds.

Does it take a long time to get the hang of it??

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[benjenbav]

i suppose it's all a bit hit and miss

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[BarryH]

Doesn't matter how long you've been doing it, something will always catch you out now and a again. Those that say not are lying. Confidence is what you get. With confidence comes experience.

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[Doffy]

Take things slowly and one throttle at a time?, stop and look at what your boat and others are doing in respect to others/objects.

You never get experienced you just keep learning even on the bridge of 157000 tons of boat.

A few fenders and a crew that can jump also helps?

<hr width=100% size=1>I greet you all R Well

 

[cliffdale]

Hopefully, a bit more miss than hit!

I still cant get over the speed my boat travels sideways, in seconds I would be pinned on across bows of other boats.

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[Renegade_Master]

"With confidence comes experience".......?

or even more experience breeds more confidence

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[benjenbav]

More seriously, being a raggie and familiar with the idea of dragging around a large lump of lead which does help to inhibit the sideways movement, I can't really get my head round what happens if you have a planing hull and one or two power sources on legs at the back. Surely - at least without a bowthruster - you must reach a point where the bow just blows off (so to speak) and you don't have enough lateral force to keep you going in a straight line?

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[Wiggo]

Go in gingerly to get the feel of where the wind is taking you. Be prepared to back out, fast. Fender up everywhere, and go in again, as far into the wind as you can.

A good berthing manouevre is one where nothing gets broken, and no-on egets hurt, IMO. Don't be too proud to ask for help from the other boats.

Tight, BTW, is the berth we were given in Hythe - we fendered up both sides, and they rode up the pontoon and the boat next to us as we backed in...

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[BrendanS]

You just keep practising for the rest of your life!

How long really depends on you? As an event organiser for the club, never cease to be amazed at the different levels of experience and competence. One guy called me about an around the IoW event, he did Hamble to Cowes as a regular event, and had been to Lymington once and thought that a real expedition. Really liked the idea of doing round IoW as a challenge. Others cruise to France, Channel Islands etc and back in one day, then phone you to ask what tides like for launching?

It takes all sorts, and your level of competence can only be guaged by yourself at end of day.


Berthing a boat in F4 and above is not impossible, but not everyones cup of tea. A small minority won't see that as a problem. After you've been pushed into doing a few times because you have to, it becomes much easier. A bit at a time approach, and don't worry about it if you have lots of fenders out is the best approach, and don't worry too much if you get a few nicks in the gel coat (that approach works wonders in my book!) as they can be repaired. Worrying about scratches seems to cause 90+% of berthing accidents

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[BarryH]

"You just keep practising for the rest of your life!".......thats what I keep telling the wife but she still goes to bed early and falls asleep.

Back on track, whats wrong with the pathfinder web site. Tried looking at it to see whats going on and I just get the "not found" IE message. Still haven't got my forms!

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[BrendanS]

Nothing that I can see. Still there and still functioning
www.ppc.org.uk

If you want to join, pm me, we've had this conversation before haven't we?

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[steverow]

You want to try my berth then.
Tight stbd turn, followed by a nose into the berth at a 45 deg angle,with about 2ft clearance between vessels on each side. That's after negotiating two locks!!. All in all, not easy with a 37ft boat. In answer to your question...never. You will always come across situations and berths which seem insanely difficult and still present challenges, no matter how many sea miles and dockings you have under your your belt. However a bowthruster helps immensley, which is why I put one in. Highly recommended especially with windage.

Steve.



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[hlb]

So, what boat you got, how many engines. Do you check wind direction and tide before entering?? The effects of both can be forseen. But in tight berths there is no option, fender both sides and rest against the lea side, tother boat if nesessary. I've never had to do that. but suppose it depends on the boat. Now the barge is some what different!!../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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Haydn

 

[cliff]

A whole 5' at both ends - wow sheer luxury.

Have a talk with some of the raggies in the marina - I am sure some of them can advise you how to use the wind to your advantage, after all, they do it all the time.

Plan "B" is fenders out both sides and berth alongside the boat berthed beside you then warp yours across the few feet to your own finger.

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[mjf]

I agree with what many others have said.

Plenty of fenders, look at what is happening around you - flags and other moving boats etc.

I find the one engine at a time rule works for me with rudder midships (on shafts).

Frankly, up to F3/4 you do not need a bow thruster and in stronger breeze the bloody thing is not powerful enough....

Do everything slowly and panic not!

Enjoy

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[Col]

Shhh!! He's ex raggie himself.

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