C17LoadSmasher
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2001
- Messages
- 152
Well it was too good to be true. Beautiful SC day, light winds, no chop. So I put in the water at my usual slip. As I pull her off the trailer and go to dock against the current (which I have found to be easier, and probably the correct way?), some azz in his boat comes hauling in (in a no wake zone nevertheless) and docks infront of me, mind you I am like 10 feet from the dock. So I was kind enough to thank him for causing me to do a missed approach and had to dock with the current. Long story short, coming at end of dock, current pulls boat at angle to dock (i.e. corner), to avoid corner I accelerate in feeble last ditch attempt, mission failed. I now have part of the (useless) hard plastic bumper on the corner of the dock embedded in the nice 5-6" gash/gouge in the hull. I almost cried. I took it out of the water and went home. This is the last time I put the boat out alone. <sigh><br /><br />Basically I am asking if it would behoof me to fix it myself or bring it to the Bayliner dealer. If it would be better to fix it myself, what should I use and how should I use it, etc. It tore part of the decal/sticker that Bayliner put on the side of the boat. I dont know if it actually penetrated the hull or not, I don't think so.<br /><br />In hindsight if I just rounded the corner by turning towards the dock (the 'scratch' is about 3 ft fwd of the stern on a 17' boat) I probably would have averted crisis. Or just patiently waiting until Mr. Jackazz moved - but I did need to move the truck off the slip... didnt want to be rude, although there was plenty of room for 2 other boats to put in. Oh well enough excuses.. any help would be most appreciated. Thanks...