Boating on a windy day

HeatherAlyssa · 04-29-2018, 01:17 PM

So a sailboater pulled into their slip last night “bow in”. He normally backs in but it was dark, he was cruising solo and there was some wind. This afternoon (While I’m detailing my cabin interior) he decides to turn his boat around in the slip with a slip neighbor. It’s breezy today. Gusts have to be in the 20’s. I don’t know. As I’m cleaning up, I hear this god awful sound of boat against boat crunching. My boat is moving around with the noise so I realize it’s me. I look outside and this guy is pinned to my boat by the wind while his hull scrapes along my anchor platform. I spring into action and jump on his boat to help out. After a 20 minute fight with the wind we managed to get his boat in. Not a “thank you” or “sorry about your boat” is ever uttered from the boat owners mouth. Thoughts?

Sabre602 · 04-29-2018, 01:22 PM

First, it sounds like your boat was not damaged, correct?

I'm sure he was embarrassed by this experience. None of us wants to appear incompetent when we're operating our boat.

If he's your permanent neighbor, bring him a beer and reassure him that it happens to everyone from time to time. If he's a transient, forget about it.

HeatherAlyssa · 04-29-2018, 01:35 PM

It was slightly damaged. Some fiber glass gouges and scuffs.

Pgitug · 04-29-2018, 03:59 PM

I have my own thoughts, but will keep them to myself. Just to say we had one club member’s sailboat had a dead battery. The dock hand at the marina the club was visiting brought down a battery and jumper cables. Got his boat started and helped him off the dock. The captain did say thanks, but I never saw a $10 or $20 pass over to the dock hand. Draw your own conclusions.

Comodave · 04-29-2018, 04:16 PM

I would get an estimate to repair your pulpit and give it to him.

Moby Nick · 04-29-2018, 04:24 PM

+1 to what Comodave posted. Embarrassment doesn't trump a "I'm so sorry".

HeatherAlyssa · 04-29-2018, 04:24 PM

That’s what I was thinking Comodave

Comodave · 04-29-2018, 04:26 PM

Well if you damaged his boat you would expect to pay for it right?

BandB · 04-29-2018, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeatherAlyssa

It was slightly damaged. Some fiber glass gouges and scuffs.

I would have asked him for his insurance information on the spot.

As to preserving a relationship, I don't care about one with a boater who didn't know what he was doing and damaged my boat, who I assisted and didn't even get thanked, who damaged my boat and said nothing. He's the inconsiderate buffoon. You were decent and helpful.

Sorry, I just do not suffer fools gladly. I would have been polite but would have been clear that he damaged my boat and his insurance was expected to pay for it. Had he said he would and not to report to insurance, I would have still insisted on his insurance information as often people say that and don't follow through. Hope you took photos of both boats damage. Wouldn't surprise me a bit for him to deny hitting your boat.

HeatherAlyssa · 04-29-2018, 04:46 PM

Well, he’s a multi season slip holder and he’s two slips away. He’s not going anywhere. I’m going to take pictures right now and then get an estimate at the yard then present it to him. I’m going to give him a few days to process his actions. There were about 5 other slip holding boat owning witnesses who all came to his aid and stood at the dock.

Just a side note, this is the same guy that every time I say hi to him, he never replies. Also the same guy (Just learned this after the incident) that had his neighbors ask to move to the other side of my boat so they didn’t have to listen to his and his girlfriends BS.

BandB · 04-29-2018, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeatherAlyssa

Well, he’s a multi season slip holder and he’s two slips away. He’s not going anywhere. I’m going to take pictures right now and then get an estimate at the yard then present it to him. I’m going to give him a few days to process his actions. There were about 5 other slip holding boat owning witnesses who all came to his aid and stood at the dock.

Just a side note, this is the same guy that every time I say hi to him, he never replies. Also the same guy (Just learned this after the incident) that had his neighbors ask to move to the other side of my boat so they didn’t have to listen to his and his girlfriends BS.

Every day you delay contacting his insurance lowers your probability of collecting anything.

HeatherAlyssa · 04-29-2018, 06:37 PM

Good point

dhays · 04-29-2018, 07:46 PM

Yeah, I really don’t like any type of conflict, but I think BandB has it right. Speak to the owner right away, tell him that you are going to get an estimate to fix the damage to your boat and need his insurance information.

HeatherAlyssa · 04-29-2018, 07:50 PM

Yeah. You’re right. I can’t believe he didn’t stop by to talk to me after that.

Benthic2 · 04-29-2018, 07:50 PM

I'm all for maintaining neighborly relations...but if this guy doesn't even return a greeting, say "thanks" or care about your boat....there are no neighborly relations to maintain here.

HeatherAlyssa · 04-29-2018, 08:25 PM

Benthic2 you are so right. I shouldn’t have to worry about making things weird and upsetting him even though he’s two slips away.

MichaelB1969 · 04-29-2018, 08:31 PM

The guy sounds like a serious #$$hole. Wish I could be there to see you hand him the estimate to repair...

HeatherAlyssa · 04-29-2018, 08:34 PM

I get pissed the more I think about it. In my opinion, someone who acts that way has a screw loose.

MichaelB1969 · 04-29-2018, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeatherAlyssa

I get pissed the more I think about it. In my opinion, someone who acts that way has a screw loose.

It pisses me off and it didn't even happen to me!

HeatherAlyssa · 04-29-2018, 08:38 PM

I’ll definitely let you guys know what happens tomorrow.