Is a crash landing ever 'normal'?

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Luzsd;
I am not familiar with the laws of California applicable to marinas but would investigate. First, Jackdaw is correct with his statement never to use yourself as a fender, too much mass and you will be hurt.

Not sure if the marina is private or commercial but in many jurisdictions, there are laws regarding overhangs onto the dock. First report that in writing to the manager and then to whom it is owned by as that is a hazard in itself. Be armed with what specific laws there are regarding that. Send it certified with return receipt. Include that letter about his docking and what he specifically said as for the dock's purpose it to stop boats which it isn't suppose to do. I would word it in such a fashion it could cause injury and damage to the point the remaining portion of the dock could not be used which would infuriate the rest of the dock tenants. I would include a question was there any drinking by the captain when docking but do not under no circumstances say he was drinking but ask the question. I would then copy that letter to whom oversees from a policing jurisdiction asking for an investigation. INCLUDE a photo of the overhang of the boat onto the dock along with a photo of the boat's numbers and/or hailing port name. Better yet a video of his docking Even copy a state or US senator requesting their help. Also insist on seeing their insurance is up to date at the marina.

At that point, no longer talk to that captain nor say anything to him. Most often folks at that point will straighten up but if not suggest you move to either another slip or marina as that may be the only last resort you have for your safety. I did this a time or two over the years and when the police are called in, things sure did change for the better. I use to be a dealer.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Ralph,

Early on, I didn't like powerboaters. Back then it was us rag hangers vs. the block heads.
Over time however as my experience widened, it was apparent that there are both idiot sailors & powerboaters.
It's not so much a question of propulsion type but, what type the operator.

There are alot of year round boaters in my area & I see the screw ups. I fish & dive with powerboat friends that are experienced & that's what counts. I believe a person buying a boat should have to do a class & on-water testing just like getting your driver's license. If they at first learn the rules & some seamanship, alot of instances like what LuzSD went through could be avoided.

The caveat here though is what Woods added.............."You can't fix stupid."
But hey, even a dumb dog can be trained NOT to pee in the house.
CR

 

[Siamese]

I wouldn't have helped him. I'm very quick to help other boaters with their docking (sail or power). Through considerable experience, I can differentiate the help-able from the un-help-able. Usually. I got fooled once this summer and helped a sailor and wished I hadn't.

Where you have me a little mystified, is your self doubt. The guy you describe is clearly a jerk.

Oh, and it sounds like maybe your husband could have backed you up better. If someone came over and complained that my wife had ruined their day by helping them dock, I'd know better, and would respond appropriately and in a way that would leave the guy/jerk with no doubts about my position.

 

[Ken Cross]

Maybe you can get the marina to install some steel fenders to protect the dock from such an approach.

Ken

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Over time however as my experience widened, it was apparent that there are both idiot sailors & powerboaters.

Captnron, I agree that both classes have their nut jobs, however I still maintain that when you look at the percentages of idiot in each classs, the % of idiot powerboaters VASTLY exceeds that of the sailboaters.

Having said that, I only sail the Pacific Southwest and maybe its a different story in other waters. But I always add this warning to southern posters who are headed to our beautiful waters, You are ALWAYS the give way vessel when a powerboat is anywhere in the area ! ! ! ! !

 

[woodster]

the % of idiot powerboaters VASTLY exceeds that of the sailboaters.

Ralph there is also a larger number of power boaters as opposed to sailboaters out there ....that is why it looks like there are more power boater fools than sail boater fools ....we both have a lot of closet cleaning to do on an ongoing basis

 

[justsomeguy]

Ralph there is also a larger number of power boaters as opposed to sailboaters out there ...that is why it looks like there are more power boater fools than sail boater fools .

If I may, that's not Mr. Johnstone's point. The percentage of idiots when comparing sail to power should be the same, regardless of their numbers, but you're correct WRT their perceived imbalance.
I'm not weighing in on this, beyond hoping to clarify Mr. Johnstone's observations.

 

[Dalliance]

There are idiots and jerks among both the power and sail boat populations. I'll stay out of discussion of percentages other than to say I personally have learned to be extremely wary of time share power boats. There are people on the water with all levels of experience and even the most experienced among us sometimes make mistakes.
Boaters sharing a dock, I think, are generally inclined to help each other out and it's often in their own self interest to do so. There is a line between helping and interfering, so asking first is usually best. Nobody should be discouraged by the occasional individual who refuses assistance or education.

 

[Chevy1217]

When I come into a slip under power I have very little steering so about 25 yards from the slip I put it into neutral and coast I can steer like a sports car and turn on a dime and coast ride into a perfect docking. I find it way easier to coast in rather than under power I have so much more control. Others should learn although I have never docked a powerboat is it really that hard to do

 

[druid]

The best compliment I got for docking was a "nice docking!" from a powerboater (15 knots blowing off the dock, cramped quarters, single-handed, Catalina 36).
I think the reason there are so many powerboat idiots is perception from the owners. There's a perception that a sailboat is hard to sail and you need instruction (or at least experience) to run them. OTOH, for a powerboat (even a BIG one), "like your car. Here's the ignition, here's the steery-wheel, and this is like the gas pedal except you use your hand instead of your foot" is all the instruction they seem to think they need.

And don't get me started on Yacht-club members...

druid

 

[woodster]

the old battle cry for power boaters was ...turn the key..put er in gear ....turn right and let er eat......

 

[agprice22]

Boaters retie each others' boats all the time. We fix fenders, we add lines in high winds, we retie to save fiberglass, stanchions, etc. We all look out for each others' boats.
If he does damage to the dock, report him to the dockmaster. If he ties his boat in such a way that causes a hazard or overruns his own slip, notify the dockmaster. Then notify the dockmaster that you will retie the boat. I will go to the dockmaster and say, "will you help me retie this boat. The bow is hanging over the dock, and the first wave is going to smash his anchor on the dock. Also, people walking could get hurt." If the dockmaster is not around, I get another boater or two to help, not because I need help, but because I want witnesses.
Do not put up with poor behavior. The marina is a community where we must all live up to expectations outlined in the contract.
However, do not expect anything you say to him to change him. Simply work around him.
Next time he goes out with a drink in his hand, call the marine patrol. Identify the boat, the number, and his location, speed, and direction. Just keep calling. It always feels a little scary to report someone, but it will work.
Also, when I have a bad landing, I say something like," well, that lacked grace!" with a sheepish smile. We all have our bad days.

 

[BigEasy]

I usually ask skippers on the dock if they need a hand tending lines upon departure or docking; however, I don't jump in without asking. If the skipper is out of control, I won't try to fend off and possibly get hurt in the process. The guy's behavior was totally out of line; especially coming over and mentioning to your husband. Evidently he has a "sort fuse" or was behaving like an ass because he was intoxicated. I wouldn't worry about apologizing because you did nothing wrong by offering to help. I would report him to the dockmaster if he continues to dock the boat with the bow pulpit hanging over the walkway. I really can appreciate the fact that you are aggravated about the incidence. A couple of years ago, I hauled out doing some work on the boat and this guy who was also working on his boat walks by. I asked him how he was coming along with his repairs. He jumped my case about being rude because I had asked him about his boat instead of asking him how he was doing!!! I couldn't believe what had happened!! I told him "whatever" and went back to work. I was really pissed and even though I thought it was ridiculous to be aggravated, it really bothered me the remainder of the day. A few days later the same guy walks by and strikes up a conversation. Sometimes people are really unpredictable!

 

[LuzSD]

Big Easy said......I couldn't believe what had happened!! I told him "whatever" and went back to work. I was really pissed and even though I thought it was ridiculous to aggravated, it really bothered me the remainder of the day.

That's it! Exactly! that is the answer to some who wonder why I am even concerned with this.. it made me feel terrible. I went from having a great day on the water with friends (my husbands BD actually!) and we came in nicely, cleaned up the boat and were enjoying a margarita in the cockpit, and then this happened. I saw someone in trouble and jumped to help. I was NOT physically going to stop the boat, but I thought I might get a line cleat for them at least. I was shocked mostly and hurt by his ridiculing and mean description of my 'jumping off my boat to come help' and then his ridiculous response about the dock being there as his way of stopping his boat. I was left feeling terrible... not mad, just terrible. His comments later to our friends and husband really ramped up my angst. We had planned to go to dinner together but we were all kind of numb and ended up getting into our own cars and going home.
I will watch what goes on from now on to make a decision about escalating it at all. If he remains tied correctly and I can avoid any uncomfortable situations, and they do NOT crash land another time, I will chalk it up to a man I have no interest in wasting another minute thinking about. If I need to contact the marina I will, I have in the past, I am not afraid of making a necessary complaint. You all are pretty fabulous in your comments and concerns. Exactly why I asked the question. Thanks for some really good posts.

 

[Roland5048]

As has been said, "No good deed shall go unpunished." We all need to be able to evict jerks who are living in our head and not paying rent. Easier said than done, for sure.

 

[Kermit]

As has been said, "No good deed shall go unpunished." We all need to be able to evict jerks who are living in our head and not paying rent. Easier said than done, for sure.

Roland hit the head on the nail with this one. Unfortunately, the easier said than done part is just as true as the need to evict him. Good luck. Oh, another difficult thing is to get beyond it and offer assistance to another person who would need and appreciate it.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I'm not weighing in on this, beyond hoping to clarify Mr. Johnstone's observations.

Thanks for clearing that up, justsomeguy. You're far too kind .

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

There are people on the water with all levels of experience and even the most experienced among us sometimes make mistakes.

In all honesty, I think there is a HUGE difference between an honest mistake and not having a clue in hell as to what you're doing. An honest mistake is usually acknowledged (by the experienced perpetrator) with a wave or a word or two. When dealing with an idiot as did LuzSd, that's the kind of response I expect.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

here's the steery-wheel

Wow druid, you can talk just like a powerboater.

And don't get me started on Yacht-club members...

You wouldn't be talking about the rich and entitled from the Royal Van Yacht Club would you ? If I had a nickel for every time I would have met a watery demise at the hands of one of those clowns, on autopilot, while drinking martinis below, I could afford to add another four feet to my boat.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

the old battle cry for power boaters was ...turn the key..put er in gear ....turn right and let er eat......

Today, they don't believe their engines will start until they've got two drinks under their belts.