Things That Go Bump in The Day

[Datenight]

Greetings from Hopetown, Bahamas. We had storm blow through Monday. Friends in the harbor clocked winds over 50 knots. We had an abrupt change in wind direction and force. The sail boat next to us blew up on our stern. His morning lines caught on our stern thruster and ripped the housing off. While caught on the thruster the anchor pecked away at the coaming in the cockpit and put a good dent in one of the stainless steel fly bridge stanchions.

No one hurt and minor damage really. Amazing how quickly a storm can turn violent. It was over in 15 minutes.
Rob

 

[CharlieO.]

That's a bummer, glad everyone is ok and that it was not trip ending damage. Hopefully the sailboat was minor damage also.

Do you know why the sailboat drifted down on you?

Just curious, I am always trying to learn something especially as we are getting more comfortable staying on anchor and not yet having ever picked up a mooring ball......

 

[Datenight]

Hi Charlie,
No damage to the sailboat. Can’t really say why he was so close. I think it was just the way the wind came through the harbor. Very calm this morning, winds under 5 knots, he is about 90 feet away.

Just to clarify, we are on moorings.

Rob

 

[Don L]

I have changed mooring balls at Hopetown after wind shifts because after a boat would be right on me. They get pretty packed in there.

 

[Datenight]

It can get close in here. I think he blew down so quickly because they are much lighter.

Truman Major owns these moorings and is on top of maintenance. He will move any that seem too close.
Rob

 

[mmullins]

I'm assuming neither you or the sailboat owner were on board during the event?

 

[Datenight]

We were the sailboat owner was not.

 

[Jklotz]

I'm curious. In a situation like this, who pays for the damage? Do you just chalk it up to bad luck and eat it? Is there a way to determine fault?

 

[Datenight]

Jklotz,
I am sure someone could find a way to assign fault. We have a good relationship with Truman and our boat neighbors. In this case we will chalk it up to bad luck. The cost of repairs will be less than our deductible.

Tested the thruster yesterday and it seemed to work fine. There was no real wind or current. I’m sure there is some loss of efficiency. A new thruster housing is $735.00 from Imtra. I could repair the gouges but not confident in my ability to match the gelcoat.

I have a guy () in Connecticut who is very good at gelcoat matching. I will be sending him pictures with a ruler alongside. I think it should be a boat buck or less. Who really knows?

We have been here since 22 December. The friends and experiences far outweigh this minor bump in the road.

Rob

 

[NCheaven]

A "boat buck"? New to me term. Curious......

 

[JimW]

MV CLASSEA always considers as part of the Anchorage Decision Tree; Depth, Bottom Type, surrounding bottom structure (coral heads, rocks, etc.), surrounding vessels & their anchor tackle (chain, bridle, etc.), their status (live aboard, onboard, etc.), do they have AIS (to asses distance between vessels) and then Hail the vessels in the direct vicinity to ask about the amount of rode they have out and how low long they have been there at anchor (to determine if they have “been holding”). Sounds like a lot but as you know in crowded anchorages, and in the Bahamas (especially) you have all levels of experience, we learn everyday, and sometimes the weather is the least of your worries.

 

[slowgoesit]

A "boat buck"? New to me term. Curious......

Boat Buck = $1,000 usd.

 

[marianwhit]

Greetings from Hopetown, Bahamas. We had storm blow through Monday. Friends in the harbor clocked winds over 50 knots. We had an abrupt change in wind direction and force. The sail boat next to us blew up on our stern. His morning lines caught on our stern thruster and ripped the housing off. While caught on the thruster the anchor pecked away at the coaming in the cockpit and put a good dent in one of the stainless steel fly bridge stanchions.

No one hurt and minor damage really. Amazing how quickly a storm can turn violent. It was over in 15 minutes.
Rob

Oooouch, condolences...those spring squalls can be bears!

 

[marianwhit]

Boat Buck = $1,000 usd.

Ahhhahahahaa! (clears throat)

 

[OldDan1943]

Greetings from Hopetown, Bahamas. We had storm blow through Monday. Friends in the harbor clocked winds over 50 knots. We had an abrupt change in wind direction and force. The sail boat next to us blew up on our stern. His morning lines caught on our stern thruster and ripped the housing off. While caught on the thruster the anchor pecked away at the coaming in the cockpit and put a good dent in one of the stainless steel fly bridge stanchions.

No one hurt and minor damage really. Amazing how quickly a storm can turn violent. It was over in 15 minutes.
Rob

Could have been worse. Rip the thruster from the hull and sunk the boat

 

[nwh10]

A "boat buck"? New to me term. Curious......

BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand.

 

[WillieC2]

BOAT is now spelled BOATT.

 

[slowgoesit]

BOATT . . . . Yup,

 

[Datenight]

MV CLASSEA always considers as part of the Anchorage Decision Tree; Depth, Bottom Type, surrounding bottom structure (coral heads, rocks, etc.), surrounding vessels & their anchor tackle (chain, bridle, etc.), their status (live aboard, onboard, etc.), do they have AIS (to asses distance between vessels) and then Hail the vessels in the direct vicinity to ask about the amount of rode they have out and how low long they have been there at anchor (to determine if they have “been holding”). Sounds like a lot but as you know in crowded anchorages, and in the Bahamas (especially) you have all levels of experience, we learn everyday, and sometimes the weather is the least of your worries.

Hi JimW,
We were both on commercial moorings. It was a case one boat swinging while the other did not. Sailboat vs. powerboat reacting differently to the abrupt, forceful wind change.

The good news is that my fiberglass guy estimates about $600.00. I will remove the dent and polish the stanchion.

Rob

 

[Jklotz]

Great to hear you found a workable solution. Hope you guys are having a great time in the Bahamas!

 

[marianwhit]

BOATT . . . . Yup,

Ten thousand????

 

[Datenight]

Great to hear you found a workable solution. Hope you guys are having a great time in the Bahamas!

We did! Arrived in Hopetown, Elbow Cay in the Abaco’s 22 December. Just left 31 March. Went direct from Hopetown to Vero Beach Florida. Currently in Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Our plan was to go outside tomorrow heading for Charleston, SC but don’t like the weather reports. We will go up the ICW to Beaufort, SC and re evaluate. No real rush to get back to Connecticut.

Rob

 

[Datenight]

Could have been worse. Rip the thruster from the hull and sunk the boat

That would be a worst case scenario!
Rob

 

[WillieC2]

Be glad it’s not spelled BOAFT or BOAST.

Yet