a humbling experience

[scutly]

wow! i learned today i have a lot to learn. im new to my boat and boating in general i have about a month of experience. well today i decided to take the family across the bay to Fire Island and dock for the day and hang out. this was the first time docking away from my slip. well... lets just say i put on quite a show for the spectators and there were plenty :redface:. i finally gave up on the slip i was trying to back into before i caused damage to somebody's much more expensive boat than mine and backed into a slip made for a bigger boat. i then preceded to end up sideways before i could get any lines tied. finally some awesome stranger came over to ask if i was "ok" yeah right, im wedged sideways between dock and poles in front of 30 people watchin me havin cocktails. " hey buddy do i look ok" i thought. well he spent 15 minutes with me straightening out and showed me how to tie up proper like with only three lines i brought like an idiot. also made sure to mention everyone was watchin me. i needed that cause i didnt hear the muffled laughter or the guy who mumbled a-hole. later on he waved as he pulled out with his 44 foot cruiser. i looked at my 23 footer and thought "yeah baby, i still love you"buyin my boat was the best thing i ever did and ill keep boatin even after everyone on the Great South Bay has a laugh at my expense!

thanx for listening
peace
paul

 

[werthert]

Re: a humbling experience

Something embarrassing happens to everyone at some point and time.

Yesterday I ended up towing a boater who left his battery switch on "All" instead of 1 or 2. I thought to myself... well, I'd rather help than be in his shoes. I will never laugh at someone else because you know, karma is a MFer.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: a humbling experience

Even when we are not boating we have a picnic lunch a boat docks and ramps just for the entertainment value we have been apart of the entertainment a few times

 

[justchange]

Re: a humbling experience

wow! i learned today i have a lot to learn. im new to my boat and boating in general i have about a month of experience. well today i decided to take the family across the bay to Fire Island and dock for the day and hang out. this was the first time docking away from my slip. well... lets just say i put on quite a show for the spectators and there were plenty :redface:. i finally gave up on the slip i was trying to back into before i caused damage to somebody's much more expensive boat than mine and backed into a slip made for a bigger boat. i then preceded to end up sideways before i could get any lines tied. finally some awesome stranger came over to ask if i was "ok" yeah right, im wedged sideways between dock and poles in front of 30 people watchin me havin cocktails. " hey buddy do i look ok" i thought. well he spent 15 minutes with me straightening out and showed me how to tie up proper like with only three lines i brought like an idiot. also made sure to mention everyone was watchin me. i needed that cause i didnt hear the muffled laughter or the guy who mumbled a-hole. later on he waved as he pulled out with his 44 foot cruiser. i looked at my 23 footer and thought "yeah baby, i still love you"buyin my boat was the best thing i ever did and ill keep boatin even after everyone on the Great South Bay has a laugh at my expense!

thanx for listening
peace
paul

Hey, it's ok. Just being in a different place sometimes can make the difference. If it'll make ya feel better, go watch semi drivers back straight up.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: a humbling experience

One thing that can help a lot when you are new to boating, is to take an experienced friend with you on a trip like this. You will elarn a great deal and save yourself a bit of embarrasment!



???

 

[nitsuj]

Re: a humbling experience

And, try not to worry too much about the muffled laughter. It's the circle of life if you will. The guys who were laughing at you were new once, and they did stupid things and got laughed at. So they paid their dues and can now laugh at you. And guess what? Today you took another step at becoming an experienced boater AND earned the right to laugh at the next guy you see make a goof. It all evens out.

 

[lrlima]

Re: a humbling experience

I think the people that were watching and snickering were the real jerks. Doesnt take much to ask or help someone out.

dont feel bad about it, though I can relate. im still trying to figure out my new to me 23 footer, load it on the trailer, etc.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: a humbling experience

Just remember that 5 yrs from now when your sitting there eating and a newbee does the same thing, It could be you helping him/her out.
Laugh now about your experience, cause YOU WILL later. I remember when......

 

[10thHawk]

Re: a humbling experience

I'll be in the same "boat" as you next season. Just got mine, wont be out this year.I do plan on using it in the Great South Bay as well. I dont know anybody with a boat so I'll be learning as I go. Gotta start somewhere.

 

[JoLin]

Re: a humbling experience

wow! i learned today i have a lot to learn. im new to my boat and boating in general i have about a month of experience. well today i decided to take the family across the bay to Fire Island and dock for the day and hang out. this was the first time docking away from my slip. well... lets just say i put on quite a show for the spectators and there were plenty :redface:. i finally gave up on the slip i was trying to back into before i caused damage to somebody's much more expensive boat than mine and backed into a slip made for a bigger boat. i then preceded to end up sideways before i could get any lines tied. finally some awesome stranger came over to ask if i was "ok" yeah right, im wedged sideways between dock and poles in front of 30 people watchin me havin cocktails. " hey buddy do i look ok" i thought. well he spent 15 minutes with me straightening out and showed me how to tie up proper like with only three lines i brought like an idiot. also made sure to mention everyone was watchin me. i needed that cause i didnt hear the muffled laughter or the guy who mumbled a-hole. later on he waved as he pulled out with his 44 foot cruiser. i looked at my 23 footer and thought "yeah baby, i still love you"buyin my boat was the best thing i ever did and ill keep boatin even after everyone on the Great South Bay has a laugh at my expense!

thanx for listening
peace
paul

Sounds like the experience I had at Kismet last year around this time. Trying to use the little marina there for the first time in my 21' Pro-Line, I sailed into the middle of a fishing tournament at the weigh-in deadline. Fishing boats right on my stern as I came into the dock area. Was a cool, windy day and I had all my canvas up. Well. I come sailing through the entrance and before I could say "uh-oh" the wind grabbed me and I skated right across the width of the marina to start bouncing off the boats at the far end! Everybody's yelling, some helpful, some not, I've got the motor screaming in reverse trying to overcome the wind- what a mess!

Finally extricated myself and left with my tail between my legs. Swore I'd never set foot on a boat again! LOL

It passes, but you'll continue to find new and better ways to look dumb, so don't agonize about it

 

[scutly]

Re: a humbling experience

thanx everyone for the words of encouragement! and a huge thanx to all who ever took the time to post all the AWESOME information in these forums! i figured out five times now what was wrong with my boat from here (bad impeller in drive, broken shift interrupt switch, bad ground for my nav lights, wrongly wired bilge float switch and wrongly wired battery A/B switch). good luck to all and enjoy the rest of the season. to my fellow Long Islanders, i hope to see you guys out on the bay!

 

[traderdavel]

Re: a humbling experience

I think all boaters have been in your shoes. I know I was - 1st trip to Watch Hill FI - excpet there were about 1/2 dozen people that were there willing to help, (they all got a couple of beers for their efforts). I know that as inexperienced as I still am - I am definitely out there to help if I can, someone always have more experience, someone always have less.