God I'm an Idiot!
- Thread starter topcat0399
- Start date
This wasn't me, but I saw it happen. I was in Manteo NC in '95 when hurricane Felix was headed for the other banks. Everyone was frantic getting boat unto trailers or up river. Someone towing a power boat with outriggers didn't take the outriggers down before leaving the boat ramp. As he was crossing a very busy evacuation route one outrigger snagged the traffic signal. Chaos ensued.
Been there done that right after I bought my M26 and before she even got wet. It's a horrible feeling.
I had an "I'm an idiot" moment of my own, too. My very first day a boat owner,
ran aground going out still in sight of the marina. Anyone who's familiar with
Herrington Harbour North knows that the only ingress/egress is a dredged
channel. I got a little off line.
ran aground going out still in sight of the marina. Anyone who's familiar with
Herrington Harbour North knows that the only ingress/egress is a dredged
channel. I got a little off line.
And who among us hasn't tried backing out of the slip with the shore power still attached at least once ?
Concur with prior comments suggesting an "exchange" (used mast), or buy new online. There is no way that I'd trust that kink.
Your mast looks like mine , if you look up ( Dwyer aluminum mast co.) you can see the different mast sizes , and mine is a
# DM-450. I got very very lucky, i put a pair of vice grips on an extra cable i had running thru a chain plate i was using to measure a new furler stay when the rope knot let loose holding the mast and the mast only fell 2/3rds of the way down . I only put the vice grips on so i would know where i put them .
# DM-450. I got very very lucky, i put a pair of vice grips on an extra cable i had running thru a chain plate i was using to measure a new furler stay when the rope knot let loose holding the mast and the mast only fell 2/3rds of the way down . I only put the vice grips on so i would know where i put them .
....... and this is why you have insurance!?&
We all do it. It is just a life learning event. Just be happy that only the hardware and your pride was damaged.
We all do it. It is just a life learning event. Just be happy that only the hardware and your pride was damaged.
I had one of those days last fall hauling out. The 'parking lot' (former cabin lot) above our 'boat launch' (rutted dirt slope) still has an overhead line running across it that at one time decades ago would have serviced a house. I forgot that it was there and didn't have a helper spotting me. So after landing the sailboat successfully on the trailer I drove ahead too far, snagged my mast on the line and bent it 45 degrees. $700CAD for a used replacement.
Couple of friends had similar stuff. One relaunched his boat after major work including new anchor and chain. First anchoring he let it go, chink chink chink then nothing. He had forgotten to tie in the bitter end. Never got the gear back. Expensive lesson.
My other mate fueled up on diesel and then departed the fuel jetty with the hose still in the fuel entry. Twang as the hose pulled off the bowser.
My other mate fueled up on diesel and then departed the fuel jetty with the hose still in the fuel entry. Twang as the hose pulled off the bowser.
Worse, did it twice just weeks apart. the power post was no match for a 28000# boat. Pulled it into the water before the connectors let go. Now I always make sure the shore power cord is wrapped around a cleat with a stern line tied under it. I have also dropped the sail several times without first tightening the topping lift, dropping the boom onto the bimini. Got a solid vang do eliminate that problem.
I once hit a tree. Not floating; on land, firmly rooted to the ground.
We were headed for a pullout at a new marina. "Past the last boathouse, then turn left" were the instructions at the office. So, down a shallow narrow channel, boathouses on one side, land on the other. We were headed straight into a setting sun, thankfully going dead slow, as I couldn't see a thing. My depth sounder was wailing away as there was very little water beneath us.
I had my wife on the bow as we slowly motored past the boathouses and into an insanely narrow channel. Frankly, I could not imagine how we would get past this last boathouse, to say nothing of turning at the end of it.
"Tree" my wife said, somewhat gently.
Huh? Tree? What is she talking about, "tree"?
"Tree."
As I peered into the water ahead, looking for logs, I heard a crashing and banging above me, as branches started to fall on my head.
WHAT? Full reverse thankfully got me out of danger before running fully aground. So intent was I on the narrow waterway that I completely failed to notice the big fir trees overhanging the channel.
The laughter from a nearby dock showed me that it was not the LAST boathouse I needed to turn at, it was the SECOND last.
Back at the office 30 minutes later to pay up, I told my tale to the person at the desk who had just given me the directions.
"Yeah, that happens a lot" she said. "Maybe we should put up some signs or something".
Man, there's a novel concept, "signs" to mark the way on the water. But until then, decent directions might not be a bad idea either.
Alan
We were headed for a pullout at a new marina. "Past the last boathouse, then turn left" were the instructions at the office. So, down a shallow narrow channel, boathouses on one side, land on the other. We were headed straight into a setting sun, thankfully going dead slow, as I couldn't see a thing. My depth sounder was wailing away as there was very little water beneath us.
I had my wife on the bow as we slowly motored past the boathouses and into an insanely narrow channel. Frankly, I could not imagine how we would get past this last boathouse, to say nothing of turning at the end of it.
"Tree" my wife said, somewhat gently.
Huh? Tree? What is she talking about, "tree"?
"Tree."
As I peered into the water ahead, looking for logs, I heard a crashing and banging above me, as branches started to fall on my head.
WHAT? Full reverse thankfully got me out of danger before running fully aground. So intent was I on the narrow waterway that I completely failed to notice the big fir trees overhanging the channel.
The laughter from a nearby dock showed me that it was not the LAST boathouse I needed to turn at, it was the SECOND last.
Back at the office 30 minutes later to pay up, I told my tale to the person at the desk who had just given me the directions.
"Yeah, that happens a lot" she said. "Maybe we should put up some signs or something".
Man, there's a novel concept, "signs" to mark the way on the water. But until then, decent directions might not be a bad idea either.
Alan
One must remind that errors occur when the the setting of our routine is changed. Topcat submited that he usually kept all halyards and the backstay usually attached after having lowering the mast when unlaunching his boat. Something had change this time: the measurement for new sails that required to unconnect the backstay. The usually routine was jeopatized. Each time the context and related settings are changed, one must have thoughts about the set up required by the following actions (in this case rising the mast). Topcat had to reconnect the backstay in respect of the launching routine. In a boat get things prepared now, not magnana.
How about owning your first tiller ed sailboat and running aground on a beach because you tried to turn to starboard by steering the tiller to starboard. Then having to await the incoming tide to refloat and sail back to your dock in an all but becalmed harbor.
Idiot Moment 1: Went sailing with my 9 year old, at the time, and forgot to bring my PFD into the cockpit and put it on (I admit I normally sail without it unless I'm alone or it's just him and I...don't judge!). Since I needed to go to the cabintop and undo the sail ties, I figured I better get it and put it on. So, I set the autohelm and went down below to get it...it was on the counter, not 8 feet from the companionway! I was down for no more than 5 seconds and heard the 9 year old yelling "Off course, off course". When I emerged, really it was 5 seconds, we were mere feet away from a head on with the green channel marker. I was able to get the autohelm disengaged and turn hard to starboard but glanced off of the buoy as I turned away. I was so angry at myself, but proud of my kid's keeping a close watch. If he didn't get my attention, I would have just taken my time. After I checked for damage (just a tiny spot of green paint on the hull, thankfully) I made him promise to abide by the man-code and never speak of the incident again. We weren't back at the dock for 5 minutes and he was already blabbing! Now every time we sail past the buoy, he makes some smart remark, such as "That buoy is mocking me."
Idiot Moment 2: Had guests coming and was planning for a nice sail. Couldn't get the engine to turn over and it was making me crazy! Let's just say there was a lot of yelling at the engine! I even posted it on the C310 forum looking for advice. After at least an hour of troubleshooting, wiring diagram studying, and head banging, I decided I should eat something. Sat down in the cockpit with my food and a much needed beer, and just started laughing when I saw that after I shut down earlier in the day, I never returned the engine stop lever to it's down position. I did apologize to the engine!
Idiot Moment 2: Had guests coming and was planning for a nice sail. Couldn't get the engine to turn over and it was making me crazy! Let's just say there was a lot of yelling at the engine! I even posted it on the C310 forum looking for advice. After at least an hour of troubleshooting, wiring diagram studying, and head banging, I decided I should eat something. Sat down in the cockpit with my food and a much needed beer, and just started laughing when I saw that after I shut down earlier in the day, I never returned the engine stop lever to it's down position. I did apologize to the engine!
Cape May Canal Idiot Moment (I wasn't the idiot this time....but it was on my boat): Delivering my boat from Bowley's Quarters, MD we made it to the CMC at night. Once in the canal, I was following my electronic chart and keeping a good watch. One of my crew (a VERY experienced Captain---just not coming this way in the canal) whom we have great trust in, corrected my course and told me I need to stay keep THAT red light to starboard and THAT green light to port. After a short discussion on my choice of course and trusting my daytime experience in the canal, the chart and my instinct, I pulled the "my boat, my license" card on my mentor and maintained my heading. As we passed HIS red and green lights, we saw that the "red, right, return" was marking the walkway from a private dock to a private home. Now, between that and the time he sank us in the Bohemia River, we enthusiastically question EVERY decision he makes....even if we know he is right!
Oh geez. How about one day I checked the chart, before weighing anchor, then powered out of the bay.......right over the top of that darned rock!! It only cost me about 3 grand to repair the damage to my recently expoxied keel but, a lesson learned hard is a lesson learned well I guess.