What to do with keen helpers on the pontoon

[boatmike]

My pet hate is people who take the bow line and pull like feck so you stand no chance of swinging the stern in. I have however devised a cunning plan. Both stern and bow lines stay on the boat until alongside. what gets ashore first is a line from the centre cleat. If they then pull like hell I let em! What I ASK though is to "just make it fast" then with twin engines I can swing the bow or stern in and make fast depending on the room I have. Finger pontoons are fun with a cat of course. I generally look to get SWMBO ashore and steady the boat by the rails while I put a breast rope on the finger end which usually does it. One very friendly and enthusiastic Frenchman in Cherbourg recently took the bow rope and pulled the bow straight in against the pontoon and demolished a set of MOB steps. Thanks Claude!

 

[cliffordpope]

.. I never get offer of hep, spectators seem amazed into immobility by my consumate boathandling skills .. or, more likely,petrified they'll get squashed if they venture closer!

If your avatar picture really is your boat, then I'd be petrified too! I wouldn't have a clue how to moor a windjammer - I think I'd leave it to the master on the poop deck, assisted by the tugs.

It reminds me of the story of the Queen Mary docking in New York without assistance when the tug crews were on strike.

 

[jhr]

I think jimi's boat is a bit smaller than a windjammer, but people are put off by the dead sheep that he uses as headgear, the aroma from his domestic plumbing arrangements and the occasional absence of a rudder. Otherwise, there is nothing to fear.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

we've all had 'em haven't we.....

We had a 'helper' in Begium last year that took our bow line from Swmbo as we approached a finger..... and as the bow passed the end of the finger, made the line off on the outer end of the pontoon......

ARGHH..........

 

[Keelawl]

I like the 'No thanks, we need the practice!"

A year or so back, I was standing shore-side at a lock on the Avon. I offered someone in a small cruiser a helping hand.

I got that answer from him.
No problem.
As I watched his wife almost hang his boat from the bollards, I concluded that they really did need the practice!

 

[photodog]

Re Robih...

"At the weekend we were locking through in to our home port. A busy lock and rafting is necessary"

Me thinks its time for you to move across the river......


smileyicon

 

[flyingscampi]

Say you have Swine Flu aboard, that should send them fleeing for their lives...well if they've read the Daily Mail perhaps.

 

[snowleopard]

.....As the chap walked away he said, 'you have a bit of fender rub on your blue gelcoat, dont worry, it will polish out'..... Grrrrrr

And the guy went happily on his way believing he saved you from the effects of your poor seamanship.

 

[Sybarite]

I find that I disagree with most of the comments here. When somebody offers to help it's no great shakes if he ties a bowline instead of looping the mooring. It secures the boat and you can change it at leisure afterwards and you haven't hurt anybody's feelings. Last season I was on a pontoon and offered to take a line from a spanking new English boat. I was told in very curt terms not to get in the way.... It's the only time this has ever happened to me.

I always ask if they want tied up or the line passed back.

John

 

[John100156]

If you find the chap that pulled my bow line in with the wind, could you tie him up for me please and pass the rope back to the nearest ferry! Stuff his feelings they get better on their own, my gelcoat is not self healing!

 

[[2574]]

Re Robih...

"At the weekend we were locking through in to our home port. A busy lock and rafting is necessary"

Me thinks its time for you to move across the river......


smileyicon

Oh no, I think not. You must come over and see the facilities where I am. Okay, I know I'm biased, but we are in the best marina in Plymouth; no doubt about it!

 

[Bosunof]

I have often said "No thank you, My crew is training". SWMBO has now told me that she is tired of hearing this well worn phrase and doesn't want me to use this absolutely foolproof statement.

So now I am to say that I need the training.

 

[cagey]

I usually find that you can sus out how competent your new helpers will be simply from where they stand on the pontoon, how they stand and things they say.
The useful peeps stand in the correct place having sussed the wind, tide cleats etc as they are walking along, how they stand: hands in pocket with a hello smile good, running around arms flapping and eyes all over the place not good. and finally what they say " where would you like your lines" is fabulous no communication and a demonic look in their eyes means that when you hand the lines over they will tug for all they are worth pull your bow onto the pontoon tie you off so tight that you cant drive the stern in and then get sulky when you are less than grateful.
Also I try to see where my new helpers are coming from, a well tied up boat and well found boat good, sloppy boat means I resort to my usual excuse " thanks for offer but I am playing and experimenting".
Have found that school boats are usually good pontoon maids as they are learning like happy puppy dogs and try to do as they are asked without getting arsey
k

 

[Woodlouse]

Oh no, I think not. You must come over and see the facilities where I am. Okay, I know I'm biased, but we are in the best marina in Plymouth; no doubt about it!

Ho Ho Ho. I had to spend a week in that marina last summer. The facilities are fantastic, and tell the truth I was having three showers a day because I wanted to get my monies worth out of the astronomical mooring fees. I mean £34 a night for a 35 footer? Come on. I once paid that for a 67 footer at Gunwharf quays in Portsmouth. The downside is the place stinks of fish and the water is quite simply gross, and then to top it all off you get a telling off from the lock keeper when you leave for not calling ahead when the fecking locks in free flow.

Needless to say, if I ever have to go near plymouth again by sea then I'm stopping either at Edgecumbe or Newton Ferris.

 

[[2574]]

Needless to say, if I ever have to go near plymouth again by sea then I'm stopping either at Edgecumbe or Newton Ferris.

That's absolutely fine, no problem with that and I didn't say it was cheap either!

 

[Iota]

Needless to say, if I ever have to go near plymouth again by sea then I'm stopping either at Edgecumbe or Newton Ferris.

Far more civilised at Newton Ferrers, welcoming yacht club, 3 good pubs, showers and good walking.

 

[Litotes]

I have often said "No thank you, My crew is training". SWMBO has now told me that she is tired of hearing this well worn phrase and doesn't want me to use this absolutely foolproof statement.

I'm not surprised. Why belittle anyone - your crew or yourself?

And why make an excuse? ""We're OK, but thanks for the offer" seems to work fine.

Unless, of course, you are not OK, in which case a midships line is usually safest, as long as the person also understands where you would like it placed. Help from a person who knows what they are doing, understands what's happening, but still watches and waits for your instructions can be a godsend on some occasions.

 

[Sailfree]

I find that I disagree with most of the comments here. When somebody offers to help it's no great shakes if he ties a bowline instead of looping the mooring. It secures the boat and you can change it at leisure afterwards and you haven't hurt anybody's feelings. Last season I was on a pontoon and offered to take a line from a spanking new English boat. I was told in very curt terms not to get in the way.... It's the only time this has ever happened to me.

I always ask if they want tied up or the line passed back.

John

I could not agree more . I find sailing a friendly sport and think its helpful when people bother to step off their boats to assist by taking my lines. Few are incompetent they may just do it differently - no problem.

Talulah did not object when i stepped ashore to take his lines in paimpol last week with a mild breeze blowing him off and I would have appreciated some asistance 24hrs before when i was berthing in the same situation but space only 4' longer than boat, a lovely wooden boat astern and a cat in front. About 20 French people stood waiting to see the mess but luckily I managed the best bething I had ever managed and must have even given the impression I knew what I was doing. Next one will therefore definately be a cock up - pride before the fall and all that.

 

[fireball]

So when we all go to Cherbourg are we supposed to stand around and watch each other cock it up or do we offer assistance? Perhaps we can append the list with a column with berthing assistance required yes/no ??

 

[bobgoode]

Many years ago berthing a H22 on ther lower pontoon in Dartmouth my wife handed the bow line to a helper on the pontoon as I carefully stopped all way off thwe boat. The helper gave a great heave and we shot forward into the back of a drascombe in front of us. Cost me 15 squids to repair the bumpkin on the Drascombe. I always think several times before accepting help now.