10 Clues You Don't Have A Clue
Posted 07-23-2008 at 07:37 PM by CaptJP
Many new (and not so new) boaters want to appear competent on the water. I thought some of the novice boaters might have an interest in learning from others' mistakes.
Here's 10 ways NOT to demonstrate your boating brilliance:
1. Leaving your boat fenders hanging over the gunwale at full sprint
2. Tossing a line to a helper on the dock but the line’s too short and doesn’t make it, (and neither does your boat)
3. "Weaving” 30 ft in either direction in a channel (or driving right down the center so other boats have to navigate around you)
4. Stopping half way down the boat launch to unload your gear into your boat
5. Towing a tuber through the Weirs channel or a major through-fare on a high-traffic day
6. Giving your kids a thrill ride while they sit on the bow of your cuddy or cruiser as they hold on to the bowrail
7. Waving hello to someone who motions you to slow down in a no-wake zone
8. Using your docking lights (or handheld spotlight) as headlights
9. Anchoring from the stern
10. Ramping up your speed within 50 feet of other boats because everyone else is doing it
Here's 10 ways NOT to demonstrate your boating brilliance:
1. Leaving your boat fenders hanging over the gunwale at full sprint
2. Tossing a line to a helper on the dock but the line’s too short and doesn’t make it, (and neither does your boat)
3. "Weaving” 30 ft in either direction in a channel (or driving right down the center so other boats have to navigate around you)
4. Stopping half way down the boat launch to unload your gear into your boat
5. Towing a tuber through the Weirs channel or a major through-fare on a high-traffic day
6. Giving your kids a thrill ride while they sit on the bow of your cuddy or cruiser as they hold on to the bowrail
7. Waving hello to someone who motions you to slow down in a no-wake zone
8. Using your docking lights (or handheld spotlight) as headlights
9. Anchoring from the stern
10. Ramping up your speed within 50 feet of other boats because everyone else is doing it
Total Comments 2
Comments
-
While I agree with many of your points, I would take issue with two of them.
Number 1...could just be an honest mistake. Or maybe someone in a major rush due to an emergency. I don't think anyone would think they are supposed to leave the fenders out.
Number 2... I think many of us have done this when first starting out. I remember 4 years back when I was completely baffled at how easily everyone else could dock a boat, and I just could not seem to get the hang of it. I often would come in, try to pull up, fall a bit short, and toss a stern line, only to fall short. I don't think it was because I didn't "have a clue", but rather would get big time stage fright as I pulled up to dock with people everywhere. It lasted almost that whole first season, but happy to report, it has become second nature now. I guess I "got a clue".Posted 07-26-2008 at 03:20 PM by sa meredith -
Well, I have to admit that I am being a bit facetious with this list. It's the accumulation of input from various sources and comes from perceptions others typically have of these sorts of things. I actually share some of this in jest with new boaters to help them become more knowledgeable. Joking around helps the info stick.
I suppose I should add a few of my own "clueless" moments where I was pretty embarrassed:
- Leaving my ladder down when departing an anchorage
- Losing my stern anchor because it wasn't tied to the boat (but I did go for a swim and recover it)
- docking perfectly, but three feet away from the dock (I get stage fright sometimes when people know who I am and have high expectations of my docking abilities).... a sure guarantee for me to screw it up.Posted 07-29-2008 at 07:12 AM by CaptJP