Newbie

Capt. Quint · 06-08-2010, 01:56 PM

Wendy- welcome to boating. All the talk about the markers, witches and following boneheads through rocky areas is true- and all easily overcome by common sense, patience and being careful...

The only really stressful part of taking your boat out- is taking it back in,(or to any town dock). Here is the best advice you will get to enhance your enjoyment of your boat and the lake: reduce your docking anxiety- take a quiet weekday or early morning weekend, run your boat and first mate from MVYC up to the Weirs town docks and spend 2 or 3 hours docking every which way. Do it until you are bored with it, and then do it some more. If there is a little breeze- even better. These hours will make you so sure of how your boat will handle in these conditions and reduce your anxiety when approaching the dock with a boatload of people and "ghouls & fools" on the docks.

Two more items-
1) get one solid first mate/deckhand trained to understand your commands and respond calmly. One who will always have the lines ready, and who won't LEAP from the boat to the dock (or into the drink).
2) Pay no attention to the dock ghouls, and never trust the dock fools who will assist you in tying your boat up in a manner deserving of a dunce cap.

If you're going to pass a line to anyone standing on the town dock- make him tie a sheep shank for you first. If he ties a trumpet knot instead like that wealthy college boy Hooper, you'll have to straighten him out!

NoRegrets · 06-08-2010, 03:00 PM

Insure everyone keeps their hands inside the boat while approaching the dock. Use your dock lines to catch a pole or cleat and not hands, arms, or body parts.

Try to move very slow when docking. (weather permitting!)

06-08-2010, 01:56 PM	#1
Capt. Quint Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Amity Island Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Practice Practice Practice and then practice. Wendy- welcome to boating. All the talk about the markers, witches and following boneheads through rocky areas is true- and all easily overcome by common sense, patience and being careful... The only really stressful part of taking your boat out- is taking it back in,(or to any town dock). Here is the best advice you will get to enhance your enjoyment of your boat and the lake: reduce your docking anxiety- take a quiet weekday or early morning weekend, run your boat and first mate from MVYC up to the Weirs town docks and spend 2 or 3 hours docking every which way. Do it until you are bored with it, and then do it some more. If there is a little breeze- even better. These hours will make you so sure of how your boat will handle in these conditions and reduce your anxiety when approaching the dock with a boatload of people and "ghouls & fools" on the docks. Two more items- 1) get one solid first mate/deckhand trained to understand your commands and respond calmly. One who will always have the lines ready, and who won't LEAP from the boat to the dock (or into the drink). 2) Pay no attention to the dock ghouls, and never trust the dock fools who will assist you in tying your boat up in a manner deserving of a dunce cap. If you're going to pass a line to anyone standing on the town dock- make him tie a sheep shank for you first. If he ties a trumpet knot instead like that wealthy college boy Hooper, you'll have to straighten him out!

06-08-2010, 03:00 PM	#2
NoRegrets Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hudson - NH Posts: 408 Thanks: 233 Thanked 212 Times in 88 Posts	Insure everyone keeps their hands inside the boat while approaching the dock. Use your dock lines to catch a pole or cleat and not hands, arms, or body parts. Try to move very slow when docking. (weather permitting!)