It would. That's why many marinas won't allow them and others greatly restrict them in size and placement.
Marina Etiquette
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It would. That's why many marinas won't allow them and others greatly restrict them in size and placement.
"Could it be they know you are a Yankee?????"
Sorry Ron but that there's funny!
Well, they do but they are also disturbing southern born boaters. A half dozen or more people complained to the manager. It's the end of the weekend party season so we won't see if things changed until next year.
"Marina etiquette" is only as good as your upbringing. We had a guy who would show up to go fishing at 3:00 AM. That's fine, it's a marina and boats coming and going at all hours is expected. What's not expected is turning on your stereo at 3:00 AM, loud talking and dropping bags of ice on the dock to break them up. Or the big wake this guy made coming and going. He is gone now. He used up his last chance.
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Alaskan Sea-Duction
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Sometime the "Good Ol' Boys" need to take the party somewhere else. Radio at 3 AM? Why not just hold the horn button down for a minute of two? Good for you guys for telling him to hit the road.
I know there are those that would not "report" someone, but they need to realize it affects others too and if your part of paradise (dock) is being messed up by just a few, then you and your neighbors need to bring it to the attention of the harbor master. Why, not? You are paying good money to keep your boat at that marina.
I know there are those that would not "report" someone, but they need to realize it affects others too and if your part of paradise (dock) is being messed up by just a few, then you and your neighbors need to bring it to the attention of the harbor master. Why, not? You are paying good money to keep your boat at that marina.
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"Lookers" ain't always "buyers."
kthoennes
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Ah yes. At the risk of inviting thread drift toward "slip holders behaving badly" at least we're no longer slipped next the boater who would get up in the middle of the night and relieve himself on our aft fender. I guess he didn't realize the master cabin was aft and we often slept with the ports open. Our dock and boat heights were such that the aft ports were just about at waist level standing on the dock. Could have been far worse I suppose, at least it wasn't directed horizontally.
Because there were other people sleeping on their boats.
It's not a "liveaboard" marina but folks often spend weekends on their boats.
My plan if nothing else works is to hide a dead crab somewhere on their boat.
Doug
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I used to be one who would not touch another person's boat except in case of emergency. A recent incident while visiting Poets Cove Marina on Pender Island caused me to rethink that strategy.
I had been noticing a stream of water coming from a thru-hull on a 32' express cruiser berthed next to us. This repeated every 10 minutes or so. The owners were not around although they had been onboard earlier.
When things did not change through an entire afternoon and into the evening I mentioned the situation to friends and we decided the boat may have a serious leak and that the bilge pump was cycling on and off. We agreed the boat appeared to be sitting a little bow low but was not in danger of sinking yet.
When the owners did not return by dark we decided to investigate further, boarded the boat and opened an engine hatch to check for water in the bilge. There did not appear to be any so we closed everything up.
As we stood beside the boat determining our next steps the owners appeared. We expressed relief in seeing them and explained our concern over their boat. Instead of being grateful they asked if we had never seen a boat with a heat pump on it before (none of us had) and proceeded to chastise us for trespassing on their boat.
Live and learn!
I had been noticing a stream of water coming from a thru-hull on a 32' express cruiser berthed next to us. This repeated every 10 minutes or so. The owners were not around although they had been onboard earlier.
When things did not change through an entire afternoon and into the evening I mentioned the situation to friends and we decided the boat may have a serious leak and that the bilge pump was cycling on and off. We agreed the boat appeared to be sitting a little bow low but was not in danger of sinking yet.
When the owners did not return by dark we decided to investigate further, boarded the boat and opened an engine hatch to check for water in the bilge. There did not appear to be any so we closed everything up.
As we stood beside the boat determining our next steps the owners appeared. We expressed relief in seeing them and explained our concern over their boat. Instead of being grateful they asked if we had never seen a boat with a heat pump on it before (none of us had) and proceeded to chastise us for trespassing on their boat.
Live and learn!
Bay Pelican
Moderator Emeritus
Doug
The owners you describe were wrong. Boats are more complex than houses and we cannot survive unless we watch out for each other. Fortunately my experience has been the opposite with the owners always grateful. The thanks are so much a part of this ritual of mutual assistance that my wife jokes about what we will be receiving, a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer or two.
The owners you describe were wrong. Boats are more complex than houses and we cannot survive unless we watch out for each other. Fortunately my experience has been the opposite with the owners always grateful. The thanks are so much a part of this ritual of mutual assistance that my wife jokes about what we will be receiving, a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer or two.
psneeld
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like many things in life....be right and you are the hero...be wrong and you are the dog...
you always have to throw the dice and go with your judgment and be ready for the consequences if wrong.
..being a coward by not doing what you think is right is a worse life than being the dog once and awhile....
you always have to throw the dice and go with your judgment and be ready for the consequences if wrong.
..being a coward by not doing what you think is right is a worse life than being the dog once and awhile....
kthoennes
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Doug - if you or anybody else ever has good reason to believe my boat is sinking, you have my blanket permission to board. If I came back and found you lifting my engine hatches to check the bilge because water was frequently squirting out a thru hull and it was not a hot summer day, I'd appreciate your concern for a fellow boater.
They may have been annoyed, but imagine the flipside of that scenario - they come back to the dock with just their radar dome poking out of the water and you shrug and say, "Yeah we thought your boat was sinking but we didn't want to be presumptuous and board without permission...
They may have been annoyed, but imagine the flipside of that scenario - they come back to the dock with just their radar dome poking out of the water and you shrug and say, "Yeah we thought your boat was sinking but we didn't want to be presumptuous and board without permission...
The same thing almost happened to me the first time I encountered a vacant boat that had the AC left on to keep humidity down. Fortunately the folks I asked DID know about marine AC and explained it to me. Since then, I've had lots of other people ask ME about another boat constantly pumping water. It's not an uncommon question.
Getting upset over someone trying to help was uncalled for. You could just as easily argue that THEY should have known that people might be concerned and try to help.
Bilgewater
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Our marina seems to have a different culture for each dock. We are on the "snooty" F dock, but only because of the size of out boat. Slapping halyards are few and far between, and just background noise to us. Somebody usually will stand by to assist with docking, which I appreciate. I believe we get more than normal helpers out of morbid curiosity as to what I'm going to do next with my high windage. My biggest gripe is the week-end boozers. There are four boats docked across from each other, stern to. They arrive Friday night and leave Sunday night. Out comes the chairs, tables, coolers, etc, and let the games begin. Not much music, thank goodness, but loud talk. Trying to get a deck cart past them is a problem sometimes. I thought I had seen it all when a lady came back from the showers and spent 45 minutes putting on make up on the dock. She had a chair and used a cooler as a stand for a mirror and all her "war paint" supplies. She seemed upset when she had to move her stuff so I could get by with a deck cart full of gear. The First Mate always gets to the showers early on week ends, as they quickly fill up with women with their hair dryers and curling irons. Being retired, we prefer to be a the boat during the week for the peace and quiet when we're not cruising.
I've been at my marina for six years (from the time I bought HIGH COTTON) and there has been a big turnover. My dock used to be the party dock but most of the party folks have moved away or matured a bit. The serious partying is on the other dock now and that's fine because I can go over and visit and then walk back to the quieter dock. As I mentioned above they can still get too loud and too late. One of the ringleaders actually works at the marina as a mechanic (the mechanic). One would think he would know better.
We have one of the "makeup queens" (they are friends) but she puts her makeup on in their boat. It's hard to understand because once she comes out in the sun and heat it runs and she looks a bit like Tammy Baker.
We have one of the "makeup queens" (they are friends) but she puts her makeup on in their boat. It's hard to understand because once she comes out in the sun and heat it runs and she looks a bit like Tammy Baker.
ksanders
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Here's my story about dock etiquette, specifically helping others docking.
It was a windy day coming into the dock, with the wind blowing in a direction away from my finger.
I and my slip mate were swapping slips. Just trading sides in the same slip to make it easier for both of us to board our boats. My slip mate was standing by to grab a line because I was alone and the wind was blowing.
I nosed the boat into the slip at an angle to make getting a line from the bow easier. My intent was to use the bow line as a spring line and use my engines to pull the stern into the dock against the wind.
Well, before my slip mate could get to it, a trying to be helpful bystander brabbed the bow line, and very quickly tied it off to the dock.
Well, the problem was that they tied it off too tight, and they ran the line around the cleat in such a way that the pressure of the boat made it impossible to get the line off of the cleat.
I was in a real pickle. My boat was trapped bow over the side finger, with the line too short to pivot the boat in a wind that was trying to blow my stern into the boat next to me, and I was alone with nobody on the stern to throw a line.
The problem was solved when my neighbor lassoed my stern cleat with a spare line.
The lessons learned were...
On the helpful persons part, she was embarrassed. She realized her mistake quickly and won't do that again.
On my part, I do not make that kind of manuver any more with dock helpers. Yes, not everybody understands the dynamics of boats and spring lines.
I purchased special boat hooks and just do it myself now using a a mid line right outside the pilothouse door
When helping others I pay particular attention to the captain and the situation. I always throw a half wrap against a cleat and hold the bitter end. This way I can bring in or let out line as needed while still helping hold the boat in its slip.
It was a windy day coming into the dock, with the wind blowing in a direction away from my finger.
I and my slip mate were swapping slips. Just trading sides in the same slip to make it easier for both of us to board our boats. My slip mate was standing by to grab a line because I was alone and the wind was blowing.
I nosed the boat into the slip at an angle to make getting a line from the bow easier. My intent was to use the bow line as a spring line and use my engines to pull the stern into the dock against the wind.
Well, before my slip mate could get to it, a trying to be helpful bystander brabbed the bow line, and very quickly tied it off to the dock.
Well, the problem was that they tied it off too tight, and they ran the line around the cleat in such a way that the pressure of the boat made it impossible to get the line off of the cleat.
I was in a real pickle. My boat was trapped bow over the side finger, with the line too short to pivot the boat in a wind that was trying to blow my stern into the boat next to me, and I was alone with nobody on the stern to throw a line.
The problem was solved when my neighbor lassoed my stern cleat with a spare line.
The lessons learned were...
On the helpful persons part, she was embarrassed. She realized her mistake quickly and won't do that again.
On my part, I do not make that kind of manuver any more with dock helpers. Yes, not everybody understands the dynamics of boats and spring lines.
I purchased special boat hooks and just do it myself now using a a mid line right outside the pilothouse door
When helping others I pay particular attention to the captain and the situation. I always throw a half wrap against a cleat and hold the bitter end. This way I can bring in or let out line as needed while still helping hold the boat in its slip.
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Alaskan Sea-Duction
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One reminder which one hopes they never need. Most towns do have noise ordinances and other disturbing the peace and public intoxication laws. They do apply at marinas.
Unfortunately, I did witness boaters and a marina having to resort to that one time. At 3 AM, eight people were handcuffed and escorted away in police limousines. This was an extreme situation. We weren't close to the two boats partying but some older couples and a family were and were subjected to very bad situations.
As we left at 7:00 AM, I wasn't there to see the rest of the story. Turns out quite a few disturbing the peace and public intoxication citations, but then some resisting arrest and one assault on a police officer, one possession of a controlled subject, leading to a search of the vessels and at that point the Coast Guard got involved.
I honestly felt those docked close to them were not only disturbed but in some degree of danger. While the situation was being resolved they all came over to our boat and waited.
Unfortunately, I did witness boaters and a marina having to resort to that one time. At 3 AM, eight people were handcuffed and escorted away in police limousines. This was an extreme situation. We weren't close to the two boats partying but some older couples and a family were and were subjected to very bad situations.
As we left at 7:00 AM, I wasn't there to see the rest of the story. Turns out quite a few disturbing the peace and public intoxication citations, but then some resisting arrest and one assault on a police officer, one possession of a controlled subject, leading to a search of the vessels and at that point the Coast Guard got involved.
I honestly felt those docked close to them were not only disturbed but in some degree of danger. While the situation was being resolved they all came over to our boat and waited.
And that's exactly what will happen if the marina management doesn't resolve the problem.
ancora
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Before we got a slip at our yacht club we were in a public marina that rented out sailboats. Under the guise of being a "sailing club", the "members" had access to the same amenities as the slip renters with the results being an overflow of people trying to make use of the facilities. After a six month wait, we got our slip at the club and never looked back.
Donsan
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Sounds like business as usual in South Florida.....or have I been watching too many reruns of CSI Miami.
Except that wasn't in South Florida. Yes, you've watched too much CSI Miami, although things do occasionally happen. But most of the marinas in South Florida are managed pretty well, I've found. Of course I haven't docked at them overnight or for days. But this event was in a relatively small town. The marina had slipped in terms of managing their tenants as they needed all the business they could get and didn't feel they could be selective or run customers away. The manager also never checked things at night. Marina was owned by a Doctor who occasionally vacationed in the area.
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Alaskan Sea-Duction
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It would appear TF is now famous!''
http://threesheetsnw.com/blog/2014/10/are-you-a-marina-jerk-first-ever-completely-scientific-irrefutable-poll-tells-no-lies/
http://threesheetsnw.com/blog/2014/10/are-you-a-marina-jerk-first-ever-completely-scientific-irrefutable-poll-tells-no-lies/
RT Firefly
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Greetings,
Mr. ASD. Well! I never... They used MY "water bonnet" reference WITHOUT a nod to MY skewed sense of humor. Mr. Scott Wilson is definitely off my xmas list for sure!
Mr. ASD. Well! I never... They used MY "water bonnet" reference WITHOUT a nod to MY skewed sense of humor. Mr. Scott Wilson is definitely off my xmas list for sure!
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Alaskan Sea-Duction
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RT you are now famous! No additional pay, but you are now famous!
RT Firefly
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Greetings,
Mr. ASD. Anonymously famous huh? I don't buy that at all. Platitudes, platitudes....Bah!
Mr. ASD. Anonymously famous huh? I don't buy that at all. Platitudes, platitudes....Bah!
ben2go
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If we all make enough stink about bone head operators and etiquette,maybe the bone head operators will get it and slow down.I know I am wishing,but it may prevent some property damages and maybe a few deaths per year.
Well, bonehead people generally don't, by their very nature get it.
But bonehead is also in the eye of the beholder and there was disagreement on many of the points of the "polls". Also, some amount of etiquette is circumstantial. What type marina, what type boat, what are all the circumstances? A simple example is "Don't touch the lines if it's not sinking." Well, what if it's on fire? What if it's banging against and damaging another boat?
Better be strong to hold one up by a line.
psneeld
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Actually in salvage, often the correct line can really help...often it can keep a boat from rolling upside down which can make the salvage more difficult.
If there's a line and attachment point that is suitable (usually it doesn't take a lot of strain)...and you think it may keep the boat from rolling...then by all means you actions may help the situation.
If there's a line and attachment point that is suitable (usually it doesn't take a lot of strain)...and you think it may keep the boat from rolling...then by all means you actions may help the situation.
