The cries of boats...

[Mrssolentclown]

I used to be a teacher so have always been a collector of noises and stories. The Clown and I have both written professionally but technically. A couple of days ago we went to check Alouette, it was bright Sunday with a wind that would pierce your bones. In the car park I was not aware of too much noise, all seemed peaceful at our marina apart from the stiff cracking of the flags and a distant hum.
As we made our way down across the hard, the wind and the sound hit me. Plaintiff cries of those poor souls marooned on land their tendons screaming in the wind and smashing on their bones.
As the wind conspired to make me turn away I saw the great lonely greening bodies of these beautiful fish out of water, and it broke my heart a bit. I know it's just the sound of the wind keening through all the ropes and wires but I was sure they were calling out to me that they had been forgotten. Such a sad romantic symphony that for so many years my other half has loved and now I can hear in both ears and in my heart.
Do the boats cry where you are?

 

[sajseven]

Wat?

 

[sogood]

I haven't heard them cry, but I have heard the rigging shiver as it trembles in the wind. I've also heard boats quietly chuckle to themselves, as caressing waters lap at their hulls, like a Mother gently tickling her child.

And I've sometimes heard them stretch their ageing joints, groaning softly, as I often do.

But most often, I hear them speak to me in quiet whispers, with promises of dreams to be fulfilled.

 

[neil_s]

I take the mast down and wrap my boat in a tarpaulin to keep it protected from the Winter. It knows it's wanted!

 

[solent clown]

I haven't heard them cry, but I have heard the rigging shiver as it trembles in the wind. I've also heard boats quietly chuckle to themselves, as caressing waters lap at their hulls, like a Mother gently tickling her child.

And I've sometimes heard them stretch their ageing joints, groaning softly, as I often do.

But most often, I hear them speak to me in quiet whispers, with promises of dreams to be fulfilled.

beautiful

 

[solent clown]

I take the mast down and wrap my boat in a tarpaulin to keep it protected from the Winter. It knows it's wanted!

one thing she did not mention was the mast that had left its storage on top of a container and smashed the handrail of the pontoon one of our boats is on. Mat looked a good 10m long and had moved most of that. The other odd sound was some poor sod's jib whose roller furling had let loose bit and torn.

 

[sarabande]

You are a very lucky Solent Clown

 

[Capt. Clueless]

I'll tell you what I do hear, and that's the bleedin gulls that sit on the boom and keep me awake, and then deposit parcels for me to clean off.

 

[solent clown]

I'll tell you what I do hear, and that's the bleedin gulls that sit on the boom and keep me awake, and then deposit parcels for me to clean off.

grumpy git

 

[Capt. Clueless]

grumpy git

Aaaahhh, but I am compensated by being able to watch Otters and Kingfishers from my moorings and also have the company of Swans at meal times.

 

[solent clown]

You are a very lucky Solent Clown

we sat down this evening, I with my fresh new ABP tide tables for southampton, Karen with her holiday and days off options. Our plan to try to synchronise tides and days off. Seems there are again some anomalies according to Karen on the tide times, we had a minor tiff about second high water on first feb. That is mostly why she is sulking pretending to be asleep on the sofa.
Of course she will be proven to be correct, after all I have only lived alongside the river for 50 years, but then again she is my Calypso.
And long may she keep me.

 

[solent clown]

Aaaahhh, but I am compensated by being able to watch Otters and Kingfishers from my moorings and also have the company of Swans at meal times.

We have swans too, karen is terrified of them yet they are so tame - especially if you have a sandwich. I envy you the otters. We have a kingfisher that occasionally sits in the orchard at work until the robin bullies it away.

 

[AndyL]

I have heard a boat shrieking in a strong breeze on the hard at Amble. The owner had left his furler bare and unsecured without a foil saver.
http://www.marinechandlery.com/foil-saver-rig-vibration-preventer

 

[ashtead]

I am sure I have heard cries from boats at Portchester and in Chi harbour from boats whose owners have left them abandoned and alone to face the stormy weather . Nothing so sad as seeing their hulls lying on the shore at this time of year as the wind rips through their unfurled headsails

 

[Mrssolentclown]

I've got to start turning off the Internet I feel like I am in a fish bowl, I am sure these wonderful people do not need to know that I fall asleep on the sofa, sulk or drink gin. Please Mr Clown can't I appear a little mysterious. At least you've stopped calling me a hideous troll...

Thanks for the lovely replies on this thread it's totally fascinating to read and also sad that so many boats are forgotten and unloved.
I've now booked a fair few days off according to tidy times such a great way y o decide days off and annual leave.

 

[Seajet]

Of course boats cry, and they'll talk to you if you listen; either appreciative of a good sail in the waves and sunshine, or crying out to us as they stand ashore chattering among themselves discussing their past exploits and the people they've owned, and dreaming with some trepidation of their future.

Some people like to set up animal sanctuaries, as would I, but when I win the lottery I'll have a sanctuary for sailing boats, free to sail for anyone who helps look after them; not just the acknowldeged classic thoroughbreds, but those which simply give fun and have a smiling bow wave no matter how tall or fast.

 

[johnalison]

Aaaahhh, but I am compensated by being able to watch Otters and Kingfishers from my moorings and also have the company of Swans at meal times.

Mostly redshank and curlew. Yesterday there were nearly a hundred pintail just behind my boat but they weren't inclined to make conversation.

 

[dolabriform]

Some people like to set up animal sanctuaries, as would I, but when I win the lottery I'll have a sanctuary for sailing boats, free to sail for anyone who helps look after them; not just the acknowldeged classic thoroughbreds, but those which simply give fun and have a smiling bow wave no matter how tall or fast.

I can't think of a better idea! If I win the lottery I'll be in touch. One on the East Coast and one on the South

 

[Leighb]

Our previous boat, Halmatic 30, did not just cry it howled horrendously when the wind was above about 15Kn and on either quarter. This was due to the large large slot in the mast for in-mast furling. We always tried to get berths when visiting with wind ahead for the sake of peace for ourselves and neighbours.
The worst episode was when we were gale bound in North Fambridge for about 3 days, the wind was in exactly the wrong place and there was no possibility of moving to alter the angle.

 

[[70521]]

Do the boats cry where you are?

I thought osmosis was boats crying