Support needed ( and lots of it)

[Doods]

Decided to move on up from our 24 ft boat and bought our first 34ft twin engine boat a few weeks ago. Didn't have a clue, so arranged a day's training. Weather was terrible all day for the training high winds hampered any hope of mooring up with confidence etc.
Anyway went to the boat for the long easter break (150 miles each way) and waited for the good weather !!!!!!!!!
Wind dropped on Monday so decided to take the bull by the horns and went for the 10.30am bridge lift. Training all came flooding back and the exit from the marina all went to plan. The long queue for the bridge lift also went well, held position against the wind and didn't fold in all the jostling for position. Out past the chain ferry for an hour and all still going well. Came back for the bridge lift again no problem. This is when it all changed. Arriving back at the marina the wind picked up. Went back into training mode - steer then gear, take it slow all at tick over don't rush.
All went pants, only ever practised putting the boat in stern first. Couldn't even get close to my berth without drifting so so so close to the bows of the other boats. Had two goes and it wasn't getting any better. I know, I thought, I will go and find an easier berth, so off I went to an empty double. Got the boat in stern first with the finesse of a forty stone deaf & blind ballet dancer. Wasn't happy with this so managed to convince the wife we should have another go. She was not impressed with this and called the men with the white jacket to come and collect me. Anyway managed to get her to agree and out we went again. Wind picked up even more and it started to sleet. Yes good idea this extra practice. Second go made the first one look pretty good. Boat now back in berth 139 and 141, only the pontoon finger stopped me going into 143 also. Boat now jammed across two berths so no worry of the wind giving any more problem. Got off boat to survey the results of my efforts, boat stopped, check, tender bust/ ripped by pontoon, check, completely lost two aft fenders, check, wife now a born again Christian, check and both kids totally silent, check. All ok then . Luckily help was on hand from two guys who helped set me back on the straight and narrow. Thanks for the help.
Only problem I have know is that I have to move the boat back to its original berth next weekend, but cant get another days training until the following weekend.
Confidence now completely shot, kids keep shouting looser, may just spend the rest of the season with the kids on the (fixed) tender and sell the boat.
Anyway if anyone is at Cobb`s Quay next week end and has 15 mins free I would appreciate some moral support (On board preferred ) when I move the boat.
Thanks

 

[JKay]

You were lucky /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifin the winds of the weekend I saw very

experianced boaters almost up trees.[--word removed--] happens it will be

easier next week...............Honest

Cheers Joe(there by the grace of God go I)

 

[benjenbav]

Doesn't sound too bad to me. Boat's still floating. No significant collateral damage. A bit of pontoon bashing with a good teacher will have you smiling again.

 

[Wiggo]

Been doing this lark for nigh on 20 years and I still get crossed up on the pontoon if the wind shifts. Took two goes last time we came in because of nasty gusts. The trick is just to pull out and go around again. After a few passes, you figure out where the wind is going to blow you. Don't worry about it.

 

[Nick_H]

Mooring light plastic boats in strong winds is always a nightmare. You made the right decision to find an empty double berth, but IMO the wrong one to go out and try again in strong winds in a fairly new to you boat. If the damage was done on the second attempt then you paid the price for the wrong decision. However no major damage from the sound of it, so I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[LittleShip]

There are only two things difficult about boating.

1 Letting go of the land
2 Getting hold of it again

Dont worry, I have sailed for approx 20 years 15 of them on yachts and never pranged a yacht. Up to now I have had to paint the front of my motor boat for the past 5 years. Just shows how difficult motor boats can be with a little wind.

Single engine doesn't help me either! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As already said, next week will be better.............you may not damage the tender /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Take5]

Hi Doods - I can't give you any advice im a noobie myself. But it was a good read and good of you to share your experiences with us. I sincerely wish you the best of luck on your next outing.

CHEERS

 

[No Regrets]

No matter how clever you are, you can't beat the wind.

The main thing is, you got her moored up without smashing anything, so it sounds like you did the best under the circumstances.

One fine dry sunny still day soon, you'll get your mojo back, meanwhile just keep on trucking! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Your post reminds me of a recent berthing, and I got the same replies from these seasoned boaters, that little reality check made me feel better about it.

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Took ours out last week for a trip and some single handed mooring experience. Never again with a spring tide on full ebb against a (slightly cross) strong wind![not as cross as I was, after banging the pontoon 3 times /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif]. It happens, you're still afloat and the fenders selflessly sacrificed themselves, following the tender's example! Say thank you to them, you'll feel better (I did). Try again next week, I'm told practice makes perfect (I'm practising every time I go out, alas perfection continues to elude me)! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[phockit]

Twas definitely difficult, I was doing my Day Skipper Practical out of Cobbs all weekend and we bounced off a few pontoons ourselves - hopefully with better class by the end of the course /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I will be down at CQ on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon, happy to help you with the move back to your own berth. (the weather lottery looks better for Sunday at the moment....).

PM me if you want a hand and I'll drop you my contact details.

Paul

 

[Doods]

Guys
Thanks for the support. When you score a level of 11 out of 10 for being a prize d**k it is nice to know that others have been through the same early years "Learning curve" !!!!!!
Phockit thanks for the kind offer. I will PM you

PS
For sale one motor boat - one careful owner and then me !

 

[scej]

I am in Cobbs teaching tomorrow and also on Saturday if you need a hand let me know.

I am on C pontoon on Saturday

Steve

 

[gimmesunshine]

someone said to me, practice on pontoons during the week when no one is about but also have someone on the pontoon to fend you of if needed
its start of season, just need practice and it was very windy

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Believe me, we've all been there, done it, got the t shirt. Personally, I gouged 2 holes in my boat on our first ever trip and nearly drifted into a wier. Don't get disheartened. Keep practicing and you will get more confident

 

[Mister_Smee]

Hey Doods, dont worry it catches all out at times.
Even after 5 years sometimes it works like a dream and other times you look a right goon.
Thats the fun of boating...... /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

[ QUOTE ]
When you score a level of 11 out of 10 for being a prize d**k it is nice to know that others have been through the same early years "Learning curve" !!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]Ahem.... who said anything about 'early years'?..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I can still screw it up like a big time fool after spending all of my life bar the first 9 days messing about on boats.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[david_bagshaw]

hi good luck , but dont forget we have all been there.

rules of boat manovering

1 if it goes wrong there are all ways loads of peeps watching

2 if goes right, nobody sees a thing.

with conditions like that you will probably have to wait for 10 yrs for the same again.

as for lippy kids, if they are yours, place on bow deck and get them to give directions for distance, etc, as busy kids are too occupied,taking part and contrubuiting to the final outcome even if you ignore the directions they give. Then at earliest chance get kids to helm an along side to a post etc so they get an idea on the skills required.

What you need is not luck, but competance. competance comes with practice . with practice comes confidence, and then competance, & then you find you are lucky too.

Have fun !!

 

[fisherman]

Tee hee! I shouldn't laugh, I got to the top end of the pontoons in Newlyn, with nothing ahead of me but a rather expensive lifeboat, and found the gear cable had ruptured and jammed when I put it in gear 15 miles before. Fortunately not going very fast, stopped the engine, lassooed a cleat and swung the whole twelve tons into the pontoon. Phew! Not the word I used really.

 

[Peanuts]

Hi
I was out on the 10:30 bridge on Monday and I reckon you were the S34 in front of me going thru the bridge - am I correct?
As you can tell I am at CQ (have since 1983) and will be there over the weekend so if you still require any assistance just give me a shout. PM on the way.

Steve