Who has boat fear at the start of the season?

NickRobinson

NickRobinson

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Came down alone to Hartlepool to check the boat and do some fettling and list making. First time since January.
I'd left the boat in the water and in commission over the winter and, surprise, it's not been out since September.
So, perfect day, engine running sweetly, tank full, I'm watching boats heading off to sea and I'm wimping over untying and doing some engine and tiller pilot (Marvin) tests in the enclosed Jackson Dock.
Finally did it, and with a huge smile, played for a while. All good including the return to the pontoon solo.

Who else feels a little reticent getting back in the saddle?
 
NickRobinson said:
Came down alone to Hartlepool to check the boat and do some fettling and list making. First time since January.
I'd left the boat in the water and in commission over the winter and, surprise, it's not been out since September.
So, perfect day, engine running sweetly, tank full, I'm watching boats heading off to sea and I'm wimping over untying and doing some engine and tiller pilot (Marvin) tests in the enclosed Jackson Dock.
Finally did it, and with a huge smile, played for a while. All good including the return to the pontoon solo.
Who else feels a little reticent getting back in the saddle?
Click to expand...

Our Skipper on the company yacht was looking a bit thoughtfull as we fired up from our winter mooring to go along side the fuel dock. So I asked him if he was nervous. Hi grinned and admitted to always having a dry mouth after a long lay off. Mind you, Rajada was near 70ft and weighed 35 tonnes.
 
We went long distance sailing for six and a half years and we were always nervous before casting off. Immediately we left the dock/lifted the anchor it went, I suspect it's quite common.
 
I am a bit reluctant to go out once the boat is back in.Hitting a ship in the middle of the night in 2010 is not helping but I will go out and I will go offshore this year.All I need to do is finish a project and off I go.
Guess I have that post traumatic thing...
 
At the beginning of the season my biggest fear is always the engine(s). What if?

No amount of running whilst attached to the pontoon overcomes that 'gulp' moment when I first engage gear for real.

DURING the season I often have sleepless nights and very quiet breakfast times if I know I am going to have trouble leaving a berth due to the weather direction or other boats proximity.
 
Just_sayin' said:
At the beginning of the season my biggest fear is always the engine(s). What if?
Click to expand...
Ditto. It's not entirely unfounded either: a friend on the local lifeboat crew says there always a lot of leisure engines cutting out at this time of year - mostly diesel bug from the winter.
 
Off for our usual early spring trip up the Medway. I have done a lot of work over the winter on the engine and anchor.I must say the only thing that really worry's me is getting in and out of marinas. I envy some of yachts turning so sharply . I probably underestimate my abilities though. Safer than the other way around .

Martin
 
Every year. I know that I will be propelling myself across the North Sea or Channel into the blue yonder, surrounded by all sorts of threats. In fact, I spend all winter fretting about it. By the time I've knackered myself fitting out I've stopped caring and just want to get out there and put my gremlins to rest. I've just got to worry about not clouting anything on the way out of my berth. I used to be able to do it, so maybe I'll remember what to do again.
 
Yes, yacht-seasonstart-phobia always kicks in the moment I put the 'Launch It' form into the boatyard office.

Will the stern gland leak and the boat sink? Will any of the sea cocks fail and the boat sink? (even though I've checked them 100 times) Will the new toilet flood and the boat sink? Will the new sea strainer cause problems and the boat sink? Will the log through-hull fitting leak and the boat sink?

The more intelligent amongst you may detect a mild paranoia here. These are all in addition to 'will the engine work properly' phobia...

Thank goodness, again, all is well for the 2015 season. Except my wife putting her back out retrieving the fenders, as we left the pontoon for our first sail of the season... :-)

C'est la vie! Fab weekend in the Solent, even with the complaints of back twinges and her not being able to sleep in the aft cabin...
 
Im in on Thursday and off across Loch Carron to my mooring at Plockton. The boat was left out last summer so despite the engine running perfectly I am still anxious.
Last time I went in in May 2013 the heater plugs lead had loosened between the plugs so only one was working.Despite this using my full battery bank I got it going.
Then just after having cast off from the launching trailer with a strong headwind and quite choppy seas the engine began to overheat.
Returning to the trailer I realised that the head had airlocked after having drained the engine to refill with antifreeze.
Once topped up the engine behaved perfectly as it always does despite it nearing its 40th birthday.
Once Im in and off I soon wonder what all the worry was about.
 
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