Raised outboards in Marina question?

[RobWales]

Just wondering what the situation is in other marinas?
There are quite a few boats in the marina where I berth that berth stern out to the fairway with their outboards raised allowing the prop to engage with any boat that may experience difficulty in getting to their berth!
I have one right next to me and so far I have not made contact,though on high tides there is quite a lot of movement in the marina which can make things quite tricky!
See pic..........

I have to reverse around his stern to get into my berth and I'm just a little concerned that the current or a hefty gust will cause me plenty of heartache!
Should these props be fendered or is this the norm everywhere else?
And yep you've guessed it,i'm still getting used to the boat.
cheers
Rob
PS That is a 30ft rib with one very aggresive stainless prop!

 

[ontheplane]

I know it's very common - however what the "correct" ettiquette is I don't know.

 

[tritonofnor]

Very common indeed - mostly caused by the fact that some outboards seem to be made of salt water soluble alloy! That coupled with the fact that anodes tend to be very small in relation to the size of the leg would tend to persuade most owners to lift the leg whenever possible. Saw one leg last year (in a well on a Hurley 22 ) that had been in the water for 9 months - absolutely nothing left below the cavitation plate!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Maybe a polite approach to the marina for a berth swap would be the best option?

 

[thailand69]

No etiquette involved, they are tilted out of the water for the reasons already described.

Unless someone comes up with a propeller fender (one for Dragons Den? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) then I am afraid you will just need to get used to them. No real difference in principal than a boat with bowsprit or an overhanging anchor. Different if altogether the boat and O/b is simply too big for the berth allocated.

(In any event, I would personally not use a "propeller fender", because I would not want to encourage anyone to come close to the engine and put weight there - and a bare prop in many respects is a GREAT fender /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif).

BTW I do not have a boat with an O/b!

 

[Sneds]

See if you could swop places with the the RIB?

 

[Sneds]

Oh, nearly forgot, survey tomorrow!!

 

[lovezoo]

Yep, lots of boats in Swansea marina like that and if I had an outboard I'd do the same, rather than having it immersed in salt water.

You could always talk to the owner and see if he can put a fender of some sort over it if you are worried about catching it. I would imagine he wouldn't exactly be overjoyed at the thought of your boat hitting his prop either...

 

[RobWales]

[ QUOTE ]
See if you could swop places with the the RIB?

[/ QUOTE ]

Good luck with the survey matey!
Good idea but as the marina entrance is to my port side the berth I have is better for me.
I do intend asking the rib owner if he would turn her around,he never uses it I've only ever seen it out once in the last 12 month,so heres hoping!
I was just interested to see what goes on elsewhere. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Us outboard tippers could make the same argument about you big boys wearing your anchors on the bows.

Best thing to do, which is what I do, that is to miss them!

 

[l'escargot]

Have a crew member stood with a spare fender ready to fend off if you are concerned. Not a bad practice anytime when entering or leaving a berth

 

[RobWales]

[ QUOTE ]
Have a crew member stood with a spare fender ready to fend off if you are concerned. Not a bad practice anytime when entering or leaving a berth

[/ QUOTE ]

Sensible yes,practical no as a lot of the time I go out fishing on my own. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sarabande]

Why not ask the marina if they could turn his boat end for end - but his bow is still going to stick out the same distance !

 

[RobWales]

[ QUOTE ]
Why not ask the marina if they could turn his boat end for end - but his bow is still going to stick out the same distance !

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats what I was thinking,and though I have no intention on hitting it mistakes do happen,the bows however would be a lot kinder to my hull than the prop.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Back in April when Son Vida II visited the Isle of Man, a picture was posted of the narrow channel in Douglas Port that he had to negotiate SV down. It was a channel lined with raised outboards like a bizarre guard of honour at a wedding. I cannot find the photo despite an extensive search on the forum.

But, going back to your problem, putting a boat with an outboard stern to the dock is fraught with danger. Unlike an outdrive, an outboard comes all the way out of the water and you have to be a little further away form the dock to ensure that the motor does not hit the dock in a swell or wake. But, if it is a drying berth the biggest hazard you face is if the prop gets caught under the dock as the tide goes out. I know, as it nearly happened to me when I turned my boat to clean it.

 

[Coupe]

Hi Rob,

As mentioned above - it's kinda occupational hazard.
Same applies to anchors/bow rollers, kids, pots, wind/tide etc. All there to catch you out.

I would agree with asking the RIB owner & the marina if it were possible to swap places with you.

or

Turn Time Out around and reverse from the other side. This also gives you a nice long fender along your Starboard side should it go pear shaped.

The pic gives the impression thet there is a lot of room ahead of you ? Maybe you can turn further out and back her in straight ?

Have a look at the Douglas Marina webcam - the props along the Port side frightened the bejayzus out of me.

 

[thailand69]

Their was something bugging me about that picture........and today it came to me............

Yours is the only boat moored stern to.

Although no guarantee that they are "right" and you are "wrong" (neither is true), I would take it as a fair indication that given the conditions you describe in your neck of the woods as being common that berthing bows in has been discovered by most folk to be the easiest / safest way of doing things.

I do appreciate that having your stern in is more practical for your design of boat......so maybe the added risk of collision is simply the price you have to pay.......

Of course practice makes perfect when it comes to boat handling, so what now appears difficult will in due course be easy...........unless their is a crowd of onlookers /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[longjohnsilver]

A bucket is perfect for a prop fender

 

[thailand69]

So, if I order a miilion orange buckets from China, take off the handles (and sell them on E-bay /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif) and then market my new "Prop Fenders" for £29.99.......I will be rich /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I might not even need Dragons Den........

 

[cliff]

There was something bugging me about that picture........and today it came to me............ Who tied her up last time? Damn inconsiderate to block the finger with the string not to mention being an accident waiting to happen IMHO.
--------------------

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[SnaxMuppet]

[ QUOTE ]
There was something bugging me about that picture........and today it came to me............ Who tied her up last time? Damn inconsiderate to block the finger with the string not to mention being an accident waiting to happen IMHO.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tieing up onto the cleats on the otherside of the finger makes it difficult for a boat trying to berth/tie up on the otherside.