Has your boat been damaged while underway? Have you holed the hull on a log, gashed your grill with a piling, or maybe ripped some rigging from the deck? It's nothing to be ashamed of, most of us have. Maybe you had a problem docking, or trailering, or with big seas and winds, but if you've got some damaging stories, share them here! And don't forget to vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
Sprung shroud
Popped a shroud last fall but that's about the worst of it (knock on wood!). Oh sure, there's the occasional scrape on the dock but a little buffing
Popped a shroud last fall but that's about the worst of it (knock on wood!). Oh sure, there's the occasional scrape on the dock but a little buffing
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Dave
Broken Dock Lines
The first time I kept my boat in the water a friend offer free use of his dock on Lake Washington, in Seattle. Well, after three days we had one the worse storms in the area. Needless to say my dock line and the boat slammed into the dock numerous time. The port aft rub rail was ripped off and a large hole was int side. After, a call to my insurance company, the boat was delivered to a local Huneter Dealer's boat yard. Repairs done no problems. Learned alot about dock lines and line bungees. Like the need for good ones.
The first time I kept my boat in the water a friend offer free use of his dock on Lake Washington, in Seattle. Well, after three days we had one the worse storms in the area. Needless to say my dock line and the boat slammed into the dock numerous time. The port aft rub rail was ripped off and a large hole was int side. After, a call to my insurance company, the boat was delivered to a local Huneter Dealer's boat yard. Repairs done no problems. Learned alot about dock lines and line bungees. Like the need for good ones.
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Mike
My worst Wreck
My worst wreck happened back in the early 60's when I was just a teenager. Carl, his brother David and I went fishing up Ebanezer Creek off the Savannah river in GA. While not sailing related it is amusing to some small degree. Ebanezer Creek is a tidal cyprus swamp that goes back in quite a few miles from the river. Like most swamps in Ga., cotton mouth snakes, snags and deadheads are common. For protection from the first of these we carried a 12 ga. shotgun. We arrived at the landing just before sunrise (and a good thing too, we might have changed our minds if we got a good look at the boat) and rented a small 11' plywood rowboat that had seen many many better days. We paid three days rental, loaded our gear and mounted our venerable 3hp Clinton Chief outboard on the none too solid transom. Off we went oblivious to the fate that awaited us. Our plan was to spend three days fishing and camping and drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels Carl had lifted from his dads cabinet at home. Three hours in we were comfortably settled in and well back in the swamp area. Just as we realised that things were going TOO WELL, a small cotton mouth dropped off a low branch and into the bottom of our boat. Dave, never having been out with us before, jumps up, grabs the shotgun and shoots the head off the snake. Yep, You guessed it, Right through the bottom of the boat!!! OK, nobody panick. We took one of the seat cushion flotation devices and placed it on the hole and I stood on it. Dave, who we were holding responsable for this fiasco, was assigned the job of bailing the boat. Carl, at the helm with the sturdy Clinton Chief churning water as if there were no tomorrow, was heading for the last piece of dry land we had seen about a half hour back. Ten minutes into the run for refuge, fate delt the last card of this unlucky hand. I was thrown forward out of the boat and into the swamp. I surfaced and looked back just in time to see every fastener in the decrepid old rowboat give up the ghost and let go. Both sides of the boat laid down flat and the transom, outboard still at full throttle, flipped motor down and our faithful Chief sank into the swamp. The sudden silence was awesome as I watched most of our gear (Including the Jack Daniels, still sealed) sink beneath the murcky brown waters of the swamp. Gathering what we could we made for a large Cyprus tree and climbed up on the roots, dragging what little we had salvaged with us. No food, Four canteens of water, two old military hammock style sleeping bags, a blanket, and one rod, reel and tackle box. We slung the two hammock style sleeping bags between two trees and set up house keeping. Dave got the blanket. We managed to do fairly well due to the fishing gear, we didn't starve but water was the big thing. There we sat for four and a half days untill the guy from the landing came looking for his boat (not us, just his boat). Back at the landing we convinced him that the boat was old and the seams had failed and that He should pay for OUR losses. As we had planned (after all we a LONG time to think it out) it all ended up a wash. We were out, no one was hurt and we settled with a hand shake and a "see you next summer" (yeah, RIGHT). We did get one hell of a fishing story out of though. Mike
My worst wreck happened back in the early 60's when I was just a teenager. Carl, his brother David and I went fishing up Ebanezer Creek off the Savannah river in GA. While not sailing related it is amusing to some small degree. Ebanezer Creek is a tidal cyprus swamp that goes back in quite a few miles from the river. Like most swamps in Ga., cotton mouth snakes, snags and deadheads are common. For protection from the first of these we carried a 12 ga. shotgun. We arrived at the landing just before sunrise (and a good thing too, we might have changed our minds if we got a good look at the boat) and rented a small 11' plywood rowboat that had seen many many better days. We paid three days rental, loaded our gear and mounted our venerable 3hp Clinton Chief outboard on the none too solid transom. Off we went oblivious to the fate that awaited us. Our plan was to spend three days fishing and camping and drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels Carl had lifted from his dads cabinet at home. Three hours in we were comfortably settled in and well back in the swamp area. Just as we realised that things were going TOO WELL, a small cotton mouth dropped off a low branch and into the bottom of our boat. Dave, never having been out with us before, jumps up, grabs the shotgun and shoots the head off the snake. Yep, You guessed it, Right through the bottom of the boat!!! OK, nobody panick. We took one of the seat cushion flotation devices and placed it on the hole and I stood on it. Dave, who we were holding responsable for this fiasco, was assigned the job of bailing the boat. Carl, at the helm with the sturdy Clinton Chief churning water as if there were no tomorrow, was heading for the last piece of dry land we had seen about a half hour back. Ten minutes into the run for refuge, fate delt the last card of this unlucky hand. I was thrown forward out of the boat and into the swamp. I surfaced and looked back just in time to see every fastener in the decrepid old rowboat give up the ghost and let go. Both sides of the boat laid down flat and the transom, outboard still at full throttle, flipped motor down and our faithful Chief sank into the swamp. The sudden silence was awesome as I watched most of our gear (Including the Jack Daniels, still sealed) sink beneath the murcky brown waters of the swamp. Gathering what we could we made for a large Cyprus tree and climbed up on the roots, dragging what little we had salvaged with us. No food, Four canteens of water, two old military hammock style sleeping bags, a blanket, and one rod, reel and tackle box. We slung the two hammock style sleeping bags between two trees and set up house keeping. Dave got the blanket. We managed to do fairly well due to the fishing gear, we didn't starve but water was the big thing. There we sat for four and a half days untill the guy from the landing came looking for his boat (not us, just his boat). Back at the landing we convinced him that the boat was old and the seams had failed and that He should pay for OUR losses. As we had planned (after all we a LONG time to think it out) it all ended up a wash. We were out, no one was hurt and we settled with a hand shake and a "see you next summer" (yeah, RIGHT). We did get one hell of a fishing story out of though. Mike
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Mike
Buoy scrape
This was my first encounter with tidal currents, and my realization of their stregth. Sure, I could appreciate when it was high tide vs low tide, but I had never appreciated its speed and stregth. I was one afternoon with the kids going up and down the coast trolling behind my 25.5, when we desided we had all the luck we were going to have south of the bay pass, so we desided to go north and try out our luck. As I was close reaching (on a port tack) as much as I could, I kept a particlar buoy insight, and my intent was to leave it to starboard. Well, the pass tends to get very busy, and you pretty much keep your course once you are established. So as I got closer to the buoy (about 60-80 feet)it was then when I realized how fast the current was pushing me starboard, and with another boat to starboard, I could only hope to clear it. Needless to say I got too close for comfort and scraped the rear against the buoy. I was able to rub off all of the green paint, and most of the deeper scratches, but the real and more permanent damage was my ego. It was a lesson I'll never forget, but in retrospect it was a cheap one. I could have damaged the boat much worse, and I no longer sail through the pass (I motor instead). On a different occation on my new boat, as I approached another pass to the Gulf, I watched my speed go from about 4.4 kts to 8.3 kts. Now I really have an admiration for its strength. Mike
This was my first encounter with tidal currents, and my realization of their stregth. Sure, I could appreciate when it was high tide vs low tide, but I had never appreciated its speed and stregth. I was one afternoon with the kids going up and down the coast trolling behind my 25.5, when we desided we had all the luck we were going to have south of the bay pass, so we desided to go north and try out our luck. As I was close reaching (on a port tack) as much as I could, I kept a particlar buoy insight, and my intent was to leave it to starboard. Well, the pass tends to get very busy, and you pretty much keep your course once you are established. So as I got closer to the buoy (about 60-80 feet)it was then when I realized how fast the current was pushing me starboard, and with another boat to starboard, I could only hope to clear it. Needless to say I got too close for comfort and scraped the rear against the buoy. I was able to rub off all of the green paint, and most of the deeper scratches, but the real and more permanent damage was my ego. It was a lesson I'll never forget, but in retrospect it was a cheap one. I could have damaged the boat much worse, and I no longer sail through the pass (I motor instead). On a different occation on my new boat, as I approached another pass to the Gulf, I watched my speed go from about 4.4 kts to 8.3 kts. Now I really have an admiration for its strength. Mike
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Peter
Oil Canning
On our 1985 31' Hunter there is a section of the hull just forward of the keel and just under the V-berth that flexes a great deal. While underway in a seaway, and most of the time under power. The hull will come off a wave and slap the next wave causing the hull to flex enough to come inward the 2 or 3 inches to the liner. I'm interested to know if others have encountered this and what, if any remedies have been found. I have heard that this happens also on the 34'er, '84 and '85 year models.
On our 1985 31' Hunter there is a section of the hull just forward of the keel and just under the V-berth that flexes a great deal. While underway in a seaway, and most of the time under power. The hull will come off a wave and slap the next wave causing the hull to flex enough to come inward the 2 or 3 inches to the liner. I'm interested to know if others have encountered this and what, if any remedies have been found. I have heard that this happens also on the 34'er, '84 and '85 year models.
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Bob
paper back
I was going to write about a lost upper when in twenty knot winds, but this story has that beat for sure. Did you ever think of turning your story into a book, or a movie? Sounds like the makings of a good comedy.
I was going to write about a lost upper when in twenty knot winds, but this story has that beat for sure. Did you ever think of turning your story into a book, or a movie? Sounds like the makings of a good comedy.
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Painless
Totaled!
No happy ending here. T.S. Gabriella totaled my Oday 26 at the dock in Sarasota in September. The damage from the storm was tremendous. At our docks alone, there were seven sailboats sunk or badly damaged... and we only have five at our docks! Many boats on moorings out in the bay washed ashore or under bridges! That's a sorrowful tale but one thing was an eye opener for me. Get towing insurance! The hull was damaged, the mast was down and the outboard mount was destroyed. The boat was not going anywhere on it’s own. Luckily, my insurance was with Boat US. They covered my losses and gave me timely service. When the TowBoat US skipper came to haul the boat away he let me know that insurance would cover the tow job, and it did, since the boat was totaled. But my goodness, the expense of towing the boat from Sarasota to Snead Island Boatworks came to over $800! My boat never actually sunk, but the expense of re-floating and towing boats that did was astronomical! When your boat goes down, you can't just leave it. It becomes an environmental and navigational hazard and you, the owner are responsible. So my friends, you may think towing insurance is not necessary and too expensive, but think again. Your boat is much more likely to sustain damage and need to be taken somewhere for repairs then you think. Pay a bit more for and towing insurance and hope you never need it!
No happy ending here. T.S. Gabriella totaled my Oday 26 at the dock in Sarasota in September. The damage from the storm was tremendous. At our docks alone, there were seven sailboats sunk or badly damaged... and we only have five at our docks! Many boats on moorings out in the bay washed ashore or under bridges! That's a sorrowful tale but one thing was an eye opener for me. Get towing insurance! The hull was damaged, the mast was down and the outboard mount was destroyed. The boat was not going anywhere on it’s own. Luckily, my insurance was with Boat US. They covered my losses and gave me timely service. When the TowBoat US skipper came to haul the boat away he let me know that insurance would cover the tow job, and it did, since the boat was totaled. But my goodness, the expense of towing the boat from Sarasota to Snead Island Boatworks came to over $800! My boat never actually sunk, but the expense of re-floating and towing boats that did was astronomical! When your boat goes down, you can't just leave it. It becomes an environmental and navigational hazard and you, the owner are responsible. So my friends, you may think towing insurance is not necessary and too expensive, but think again. Your boat is much more likely to sustain damage and need to be taken somewhere for repairs then you think. Pay a bit more for and towing insurance and hope you never need it!
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Bud Harrell
Thank You, I Guess!
Engine Out, Rough Seas, 20-25knots of wind. USCG towed me in, Thanks. USCG pulled away from my 32'Hunter and pulled on the lifeline, bending three stantions and putting a hole in my hull. Damage was over $1,200. So, Thanks, but...
Engine Out, Rough Seas, 20-25knots of wind. USCG towed me in, Thanks. USCG pulled away from my 32'Hunter and pulled on the lifeline, bending three stantions and putting a hole in my hull. Damage was over $1,200. So, Thanks, but...
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hp
Hey Wheres our Keel??
We used to keep our Catalina 22 in the Hudson River and have since moved up to beautiful Maine. We love our Catalina 22 but have learned a few things. Recenlty, when we pulled it out to trailer it once after taking it out for a sail, we sadly discovered our Keel was gone. It had sheered off at the underside bolts and was not recoverable. We have since learned that happens to Catalina 22s often especially since if keels are replaced they can easily be istalled upside down. We've learned and pass this on to other Swing Keel Owners - Always check your bolts and health of keel and make sure it is raised when necessary. We'll be fixing our beloved boat and are now looking for a keel.
We used to keep our Catalina 22 in the Hudson River and have since moved up to beautiful Maine. We love our Catalina 22 but have learned a few things. Recenlty, when we pulled it out to trailer it once after taking it out for a sail, we sadly discovered our Keel was gone. It had sheered off at the underside bolts and was not recoverable. We have since learned that happens to Catalina 22s often especially since if keels are replaced they can easily be istalled upside down. We've learned and pass this on to other Swing Keel Owners - Always check your bolts and health of keel and make sure it is raised when necessary. We'll be fixing our beloved boat and are now looking for a keel.
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Chris Bloor
Twice, Thank You
First time was with my parents on their 38-Irwin Apres Ski. We were coming out the channel from their marina in Vero Beach. I was sitting on the cabin top (my usual perch on their boat) facing the cockpit and chatting with my parents when Pow! We hit the channel day-marker. Took a chunk out of the wood toe-rail and scraped the hull underneath it. We have been boating for years, but I guess you've never been boating long enough to forget to PAY ATTENTION! Second time was our boat. We'd finished the Deepwater Race to Put-In-Bay in Lake Erie. Although a raft-off spot on the city docks is included in the entry fee, we normally pay the mooring ball bribe since we're so big (42' with a 14' beam). Unfortunately, this time we tried the docks. We were only the second boat out rafted off a T-10 with no one outside us. Since we were bigger, we suggested trading places, but the Tartan declined. Although smaller, a T-10 has a 7' draft (we draw almost 5'). When the swells came in after midnight, the Tartan would drop and stick to the bottom with their longer fin keel. As we were coming down on the next swell, they would come unstuck from the bottom and pow! Right into our side. Around 3am, we finally convinced them to trade places with us. Thankfully, we know a terrific fiberglas man. Needless to say, we've gone back to paying the mooring ball bribe!
First time was with my parents on their 38-Irwin Apres Ski. We were coming out the channel from their marina in Vero Beach. I was sitting on the cabin top (my usual perch on their boat) facing the cockpit and chatting with my parents when Pow! We hit the channel day-marker. Took a chunk out of the wood toe-rail and scraped the hull underneath it. We have been boating for years, but I guess you've never been boating long enough to forget to PAY ATTENTION! Second time was our boat. We'd finished the Deepwater Race to Put-In-Bay in Lake Erie. Although a raft-off spot on the city docks is included in the entry fee, we normally pay the mooring ball bribe since we're so big (42' with a 14' beam). Unfortunately, this time we tried the docks. We were only the second boat out rafted off a T-10 with no one outside us. Since we were bigger, we suggested trading places, but the Tartan declined. Although smaller, a T-10 has a 7' draft (we draw almost 5'). When the swells came in after midnight, the Tartan would drop and stick to the bottom with their longer fin keel. As we were coming down on the next swell, they would come unstuck from the bottom and pow! Right into our side. Around 3am, we finally convinced them to trade places with us. Thankfully, we know a terrific fiberglas man. Needless to say, we've gone back to paying the mooring ball bribe!
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Ken Tempelmeyer
Failed Cutlass Strut
While sailing in strong gusty winds up to 24 kts in my H 33.5, the bronze strut while supports the aft end of the prop shaft and houses the cutlass bearing sheared off. It's a T-shaped bronze casting about 3 in. long and 3/4 in. thick and streamline shaped in cross-section. It sheared at the junction of the strut and the base. Because of its size, I was amazed. The Hunter dealer mechanic who replaced it told me that they replace about one a year. The repair also required replacing the prop shaft which could have been slightly bent. Everytime I have the boat out of the water in the future, I will closely check the strut for cracks. You might want to do that also.
While sailing in strong gusty winds up to 24 kts in my H 33.5, the bronze strut while supports the aft end of the prop shaft and houses the cutlass bearing sheared off. It's a T-shaped bronze casting about 3 in. long and 3/4 in. thick and streamline shaped in cross-section. It sheared at the junction of the strut and the base. Because of its size, I was amazed. The Hunter dealer mechanic who replaced it told me that they replace about one a year. The repair also required replacing the prop shaft which could have been slightly bent. Everytime I have the boat out of the water in the future, I will closely check the strut for cracks. You might want to do that also.
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Kris
Its repairable!
This past summer I was involved with a three day racing event. After arriving at the site and setting up the boat, I had time to double check everything, think about strategies, and the competition - not about where I would put the broken pieces for the long journey home. As I was approaching the starting line for the first race my fiberglass rudder split not only vertically but also horizontally. Fortunately I had a spare in the back of the truck but it sure did take along time to get back to shore. Next race, again approaching the starting line, my main halyard decided it didn't want to hold the main right now. In my lap was the main sail until I could get back to shore - fortunately I have a jib. Next race, my center board decided to leave this world and become a realic at the bottom of Lake Michigan. Although it was tough getting back to shore again, I had plenty of time to plan how I was going to get the boat onto the trailer and enjoy the rest of the weekend (two days) with my wife and sailing friends.
This past summer I was involved with a three day racing event. After arriving at the site and setting up the boat, I had time to double check everything, think about strategies, and the competition - not about where I would put the broken pieces for the long journey home. As I was approaching the starting line for the first race my fiberglass rudder split not only vertically but also horizontally. Fortunately I had a spare in the back of the truck but it sure did take along time to get back to shore. Next race, again approaching the starting line, my main halyard decided it didn't want to hold the main right now. In my lap was the main sail until I could get back to shore - fortunately I have a jib. Next race, my center board decided to leave this world and become a realic at the bottom of Lake Michigan. Although it was tough getting back to shore again, I had plenty of time to plan how I was going to get the boat onto the trailer and enjoy the rest of the weekend (two days) with my wife and sailing friends.
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Alan Huffman
Submerged trees
With our swing keel Chrysler 22 twice we have hit submerged tree tops in the lake. This kicks up the keel, when it slams down the cable mounting is usually broken, and the keel cannot be raised or lowered until repaired.
With our swing keel Chrysler 22 twice we have hit submerged tree tops in the lake. This kicks up the keel, when it slams down the cable mounting is usually broken, and the keel cannot be raised or lowered until repaired.
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ted
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Mike Casucci
Once
Pulling into marina. Wind from the East, blowing me onshore into shallows. Had to come out and try again. Backing out when power boat raced by. Had to turn sharply try to get into slip. Almost made it but hit stern tail on piling and it bent.
Pulling into marina. Wind from the East, blowing me onshore into shallows. Had to come out and try again. Backing out when power boat raced by. Had to turn sharply try to get into slip. Almost made it but hit stern tail on piling and it bent.
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Susan Bland
Have you banged up your boat
Actually, just over the weekend! Docking is always a challenge due to the current in our marina and we never seem to get in the same way twice! This week we had 20-30 mph winds and gently hit the pulpit of another boat and cracked our light on the front. Fortunately no damage to the other boat. Also the next day went out, had a great sail in very heavy winds. On the way back in ripped both the main and headsails! Again, fortunately we can repair them, but will probably look for a good used sail to have as well.
Actually, just over the weekend! Docking is always a challenge due to the current in our marina and we never seem to get in the same way twice! This week we had 20-30 mph winds and gently hit the pulpit of another boat and cracked our light on the front. Fortunately no damage to the other boat. Also the next day went out, had a great sail in very heavy winds. On the way back in ripped both the main and headsails! Again, fortunately we can repair them, but will probably look for a good used sail to have as well.
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Gary Wyngarden
Logs!
A hazard to sailing in British Columbia waters is the logging industry. They like to cut trees near the water and tow them back to pulp mills in so-called "booms" in which a perimeter of logs is spiked and chained together. While this keeps most of the logs in place, it by no means handles all of them. The escapees soon become water logged and float just below the surface where they are hard to see. On our way back from Desolation Sound in September we were under power heading into the morning sun with light reflecting off the water when we slammed into one of the guys at seven knots. UGH! No leakage and I guess I'll find out about any external hull dmage when we do our annual haulout in the spring. I got on the radio to warn the other boaters as there were several logs in the water. But the Canadian boats seemed to think this was business as usual! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
A hazard to sailing in British Columbia waters is the logging industry. They like to cut trees near the water and tow them back to pulp mills in so-called "booms" in which a perimeter of logs is spiked and chained together. While this keeps most of the logs in place, it by no means handles all of them. The escapees soon become water logged and float just below the surface where they are hard to see. On our way back from Desolation Sound in September we were under power heading into the morning sun with light reflecting off the water when we slammed into one of the guys at seven knots. UGH! No leakage and I guess I'll find out about any external hull dmage when we do our annual haulout in the spring. I got on the radio to warn the other boaters as there were several logs in the water. But the Canadian boats seemed to think this was business as usual! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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Chris Gonzales
Capri on the Rocks
About 12 years ago I owned a Capri 25 I had her berthed on the Oakland Estuary. Getting out to the bay usually meant beating. While a lot of fun and usually in mild to moderate winds, often the challenge was avoiding the big commercial container ships and barges . This particular day the winds we mild, probably only 5-8 kts and we ( my wife and two young children and I) were tacking back and forth heading for the bay. Eventually, a very wide, long barge was being pushed by a tug in the middle of one of the narrowest parts of the estuary and I knew I had to time our tacks to get around it. This day my timing wasn’t so good, though, when tacking away from shore back towards the barge I realized that I needed to tack again soon a second time to avoid hitting the barge. The barge was moving slower than I thought and was still in the way. Not having much way on coupled with the barge blanketing the wind, this second tack put me in irons. Now pointed towards the rocky shore, but safely away from the barge, we were drifting with no steerage-way on. Attempts to get the little outboard down and started were too late. We gently ran, port bow first, into the large rocks on the levee on the Alameda Naval Station side of the estuary. The sheets had been released and I got the outboard started before jumping out onto the rocks. By chance, a van with a couple of sailors was driving by on the road on the levee. They saw us hit the rocks and a couple of guys jumped the fence (no small chore as it had strands of barbed wire at the top) and came to our rescue. They joined me, told me to get in and pilot her and shoved us away. The damage to the boat was minimal, only a hand sized chunk was missing from the bow. The chunk missing from my ego was about as big as that barge we were avoiding, though! We headed back to the slip and called it a day. Shortest day of sailing I ever “enjoyed”. Funny that this thread just got started. I was going to start one entitled “biggest sailing boo-boo”. I have another one or two stories to tell sometime. Great thing about all this is we can all appreciate that mistakes happen and we all make them. Most important thing is no one gets seriously hurt and we learn from them eh? Chris
About 12 years ago I owned a Capri 25 I had her berthed on the Oakland Estuary. Getting out to the bay usually meant beating. While a lot of fun and usually in mild to moderate winds, often the challenge was avoiding the big commercial container ships and barges . This particular day the winds we mild, probably only 5-8 kts and we ( my wife and two young children and I) were tacking back and forth heading for the bay. Eventually, a very wide, long barge was being pushed by a tug in the middle of one of the narrowest parts of the estuary and I knew I had to time our tacks to get around it. This day my timing wasn’t so good, though, when tacking away from shore back towards the barge I realized that I needed to tack again soon a second time to avoid hitting the barge. The barge was moving slower than I thought and was still in the way. Not having much way on coupled with the barge blanketing the wind, this second tack put me in irons. Now pointed towards the rocky shore, but safely away from the barge, we were drifting with no steerage-way on. Attempts to get the little outboard down and started were too late. We gently ran, port bow first, into the large rocks on the levee on the Alameda Naval Station side of the estuary. The sheets had been released and I got the outboard started before jumping out onto the rocks. By chance, a van with a couple of sailors was driving by on the road on the levee. They saw us hit the rocks and a couple of guys jumped the fence (no small chore as it had strands of barbed wire at the top) and came to our rescue. They joined me, told me to get in and pilot her and shoved us away. The damage to the boat was minimal, only a hand sized chunk was missing from the bow. The chunk missing from my ego was about as big as that barge we were avoiding, though! We headed back to the slip and called it a day. Shortest day of sailing I ever “enjoyed”. Funny that this thread just got started. I was going to start one entitled “biggest sailing boo-boo”. I have another one or two stories to tell sometime. Great thing about all this is we can all appreciate that mistakes happen and we all make them. Most important thing is no one gets seriously hurt and we learn from them eh? Chris
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Jenny
Boat/Car collision
Actually, I didn't damage my boat, it was my van! I was enroute to dunk her last spring and I hit a rough patch of highway which caused the pin in the hitch lock to work free. One last big bump in the road where they had started chewing the surface down, and the trailer reciever popped off the ball. Thanks to the chain, I didn't lose the boat, but stopping the whole assemblage going slightly downhill at 50 mph was a treat. The bowsprit rode up over the top of my Plymouth Voyager, putting a crease in the top of the liftgate and gouging the paint on the roof. No damage to the boat at all. After a brief respite to calm my trembling hands and use the jack to lift the trailer tongue sufficient to disengage the sprit from the van, I rehitched, pinned it securely, and managed to get to the marina without further mishap. My car insurance company took rather a lot of convincing about the whole incident, however. In the end, they paid for the repairs, but it's not an experience I want to repeat.
Actually, I didn't damage my boat, it was my van! I was enroute to dunk her last spring and I hit a rough patch of highway which caused the pin in the hitch lock to work free. One last big bump in the road where they had started chewing the surface down, and the trailer reciever popped off the ball. Thanks to the chain, I didn't lose the boat, but stopping the whole assemblage going slightly downhill at 50 mph was a treat. The bowsprit rode up over the top of my Plymouth Voyager, putting a crease in the top of the liftgate and gouging the paint on the roof. No damage to the boat at all. After a brief respite to calm my trembling hands and use the jack to lift the trailer tongue sufficient to disengage the sprit from the van, I rehitched, pinned it securely, and managed to get to the marina without further mishap. My car insurance company took rather a lot of convincing about the whole incident, however. In the end, they paid for the repairs, but it's not an experience I want to repeat.
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