Declining help at the dock

[soggy_feet]

Re: Declining help at the dock

My lines stay with the boat, not the dock, since I don't have a slip, and anywhere I go is only temporary. Is it really that much harder to move the line from the boat to the dock instead of leaving everything at the slip? I understand it means stowing the lines when you're out, but you'll have total control of who has what line, and where it gets put.
Only thing people on the dock would/could do is try to catch the boat if you happen to be floating in "a little hot" in a wind or something.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Declining help at the dock

Soggy, the convenience of having your dock lines set and attached the dock is practically immeasurable. Sure you could take them all with you every time, but why? You pay for the slip, and in theory, will put the boat in it the same way every time. So much better to have the "dock lines" right there, at the dock.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Declining help at the dock

Understood.

Comes down to which is a bigger inconvenience, putting out dock lines every time and having it right, or fumbling with a bunch of crossed up ones from all the "helping" hands.

 

[QC]

Re: Declining help at the dock

My first thought was hailing as you approach. If the spring line is easily identifiable, then one lucky good Samaritan could hand you that one. This gives you the opportunity for the "watch this" deal too. I don't like most of the other options. It's delicate, these are good people, and they will be around the marina for the foreseeable future.

Mini-hijack here, but a favorite brag. I was coming into a popular hangout with courtesy slips on Lake Havasu during "Desert Storm" which is an annual Poker Run that attracts high end go fasts from all over the country. It was blowing pretty good, and I prefer to back in which is a little bit of a chore with a single screw (23 ft.). There were two guys on the dock next slip over. They saw me backing, and although I had two others aboard figured I was solo handling (I was). As they ran to the end of the slip and kneeled down to "catch" me, one of them stood up and said "heck you don't need us you know what you're doing" and they left me to it as they watched me nail it. I looked up and they both were from Powerboat Magazine. Kinda felt OK

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Declining help at the dock

haha- nice boating moment for ya QC

BlueSkies (OP) you are in a sticky wicket there - no better way to look like a dbag than to seem ungrateful for help... so however you do it tread lightly, and best of luck.

But i definitely think if you can just talk (maybe over a beer on the dock) to a couple of the locals - they should be able to spread the word that 'you can handle your boat'. might take a few weeks...but should work.

 

[captain zac]

Re: Declining help at the dock

I feel that you have to tell them Thnaks but no thanks

I have found that if you are going to tell someone something that might hurt there feelings
its a good idea to start with a (softening statement) such as
"I know that you are going to hate me for saying this"
Or
"Guys I have to Apologize I have done a bad job of explaining the kind of help I need when I'm docking"
I am sure that you can come up with a good softening statement

Harry

 

[m casey stock]

Re: Declining help at the dock

I attached my lines where they can't be removed without a lot of effort, the right ones are always in the right place. I have extras on the boat for "new" places. When whoever is trying to help is standing next to he line needed, I tell them to toss it to the person next to the cleat I want it on. The others just get to stand there and watch until the next line is needed and by that point the "wanted helper" is on the dock and has taken over. I usually get statements like "man you made that look easy" and I usually say "good help makes it easy" anyway it works for me.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Declining help at the dock

Have your deckhands say something like, "hang on fellas, lets see if Capt. Blue Skies can do this without any help?"

I think that this is your best advice. Your deckhand is the bad cop, you are the good cop. If it's your wife it makes it even easier. She (or anyone else) could play it off as, "Hold on guys...I want to see if I can do this all myself." They'll stand by to watch and help if needed. If they see her do it right they'll probably get the hint that they aren't needed. Most importantly they will see that one rope was all that was needed.

 

[Blue Skies 3607]

Re: Declining help at the dock

Well, thanks for all the suggestions folks! There were many good things in there to ponder.

I did take an oppertunity to take a friendly conversation I was having with one of my dock neighbors over to this subject.

I used my concerns of the safety of himself and his wife as well as the others as my opener. Then I threw in how it affected my docking and the potenial of damage.

I gotta say I felt a bit un-easy about it at first but the conversation went smoothly, to the point of much interest in the use of spring lines. This lead to me showing my use of the lines and how they can be used for more than just holding your boat from moving forward or back at the dock.

I went so far as to showing him how to setup and use them on his boat. He seemed genuinely impressed and greatful when I showed him how much control he had over his boat with just one line.

The group he runs with is the same group that I have had most of my "problems" with, so I think the word will get around and hopefully the "problem" will be resolved.

Thanks again for eveyones input!

Blue Skies

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Declining help at the dock

Good job. It's always a good thing to get someone who wants to learn. If this guy really learned something, he'll be the one next at the dock, as you approach, to say "hang on fellas, he's got this routine and really cool way of doing this by himself, just watch."

 

[QC]

Re: Declining help at the dock

I've seen better examples, but couldn't find it quickly. This animation kind of shows the use of spring lines for docking as opposed to securing. It doesn't show using one while backing whihc I believe is the OPs method.

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/docking.htm

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Declining help at the dock

Wow. I've never seen a single person even think about "helping" when I come in to dock. They mostly stand there and "look at me incomprehendingly, like cows at a passing train" (thanks to Don Henley for the line). I can't say which situation is worse. At least I don't have to undo anything!