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Sound
Familiar? (21-5)
by Dusty Miller
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 The
weather is perfect with a few white, fluffy clouds and
a light, refreshing, breeze – the sort of day
you reflect on during the dark, cold months of winter.
You’re enjoying a relaxing, quiet afternoon on
the dock and a visit from your in-laws couldn't even
dampen your spirits. After insisting on paying you for
fuel, you feel obliged to take them for a cruise on
that new model you recently purchased.
You disembark from the slip, slowly cruise down the
channel (like you know what you're doing), and enjoy
the rest of the day – even the landing at the
gas dock went well. But now, the inevitable is happening
– you’re heading back to the dock and preparing
to attempt a perfect landing. As the old saying goes
with aircraft pilots, taking off is an option, landing
is compulsory.
As you get closer to the dock, your stomach is starting
to tie up in knots. It’s only a couple of hundred
yards away, but it seems like the longest couple of
yards on earth. As you head down the slipway, you suddenly
remember your father-in-law (as helpful as he is) removed
the fenders and lines earlier that day and stowed them
– somewhere –now he’s asleep on the
V-berth. “Can somebody find the fenders and ropes
and please put them on......quickly?” Adding to
the pressure are the unexpected, gusty winds, not too
mention your neighbours on land sitting in the lawn
chairs with that smug smirk on their faces seeing what
you, and your new boat, can do. They’ll be watching
your every move. You then look ahead and see your other
faithful neighbour running down the dock armed with
a boat hook screaming at the top of his lungs that he’s
there to catch the boat, as well the interest of everyone
else along the shoreline.
You’re on the final approach, you check your speed,
which is too fast, the wind has caught the bow and your
angle isn’t right. And in the midst of all this
confusion, your mother-in-law quietly says, “That
was such a wonderful day,” but what she really
meant was:“Too bad you’ve ruined it!”
At this point, panic raises the hair on the back of
your neck… and all logic and understanding of
what you are doing is gone. You can’t think straight
or decide what you should do to bring the bow back in
control. You feel like closing your eyes and hoping
it will end all by itself.
All of a sudden there’s a wailing noise as your
side fenders slide along the dock and your neighbour
with the boat hook is waving it like he’s trying
to harpoon a whale. Somebody throws a line toward the
boat for no apparent reason and falls lamely into the
water five feet short of the prop. Your wife is on the
bow getting ready to jump to the dock. Then suddenly,
it’s over. Somebody threw a line, and the boat
was manhandled into the slip where the boat is now tied
down. Seconds later, you calm down, and it seems like
nothing bad happened – just another botched landing
– but no one got hurt and the boat can be used
again.
Unfortunately, this kind of situation does really happen
and can scare people right out of boating. Fortunately,
there are some easy remedies. Assistance at the dock
is very valuable and can quickly save you from ruining
a bad landing. However, it's always good to know that
lines are always easier to use than boat hooks. They
are much easier to work with while man handling a vessel.
It never hurts to lower your voice, either.
Prior to any landing, take the few minutes to find the
fenders and tie them to the cleat. You'll be glad you
did upon your approach.
Finally, don’t let a bad landing keep you on the
dock. Try to go out early on a Sunday morning or during
the week when it's not as busy and find a slip that’s
away from neighbours and practise. Or try practise landing
on a dock – stern first – in particular.
I have written many columns, and have taught hundreds
of boaters, on how to land a vessel. You can do it,
and you will learn with practise. But don't let the
wind, neighbours, your in-laws or a few botched landings
keep you on the dock. (Page Top) |
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