Crosswinds and docking

[kmclemore]

Yeah, this didn't go well.

Looks like another Mac made it to the WAVY videos... *sigh*

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1445570416719567

[Be Free]

I've docked at that ramp before and helped other Macs launch and retrieve their boats. There is a strong current running through there and it can be hard to do with an inexperienced captain.

There is a reason someone was standing there taking videos of that particular ramp. Just like Haulover inlet, it seldom fails to deliver an interesting video. I saw several very similar attempts when I was there but fortunately none of them were the Mac owners. They had all been there before.

[NiceAft]

A Ray Line was invented expressly for this situation.

A sturdy line from bow to stern, run loosely, along port and starboard sides, can be grabbed by anyone on the dock.

I have a Ray Line (not named for me) along each side. In windy situations, I have backed into a slip and quickly step out of the cockpit, grab the line, pull the boat in.

The line works. When you need it, it’s there. When you don’t, it’s just hanging there waiting to be used.

[PhysicsTeacher]

I second, and third, and fourth what Nice Aft said. I tie on my "Ray Lines" (named after a former Blue Water Yachts employee who taught everyone to do this) at the beginning of sailing season, and they come off for the winter. SO HANDY!
They also double has my bow spring line when docking.

[OverEasy]

Ray was ahead of the game!
It’s a great idea!

I feel for this guy in the video!
I’ve been there!
(Note: If you haven’t you need to get out more )

With the keel up the high freeboard of our Macs have a high amount of Eid age to contend with. It’s just what it is. Now if one adds in a ripping current (like a River current and a transitioning tide flow) then things can get interesting quickly.

We try to studiously avoid launching or hauling out at any time other than at peak high tide. It’s just not something to contend with for us.

I generally try to look for ramps with a good pontoon and I usually try to hand launch/retrieve rather than powering off/on to the trailer. Yeah I generally plan on getting wet but I don’t mind it. There is less consternation generally.

Once early on we were trying to retrieve our Mac26X up on Lake Winnipesaukee with moderate to high winds. Over Easy went sideways to the trailer in a heartbeat with the bow moving across the trailer while the stern was pivoting on the trailer guide posts. It proceeded to diagonally clear the trailer and move on shore! What a laugh!
What else can one do but laugh?

It was a bit of a mess but no real harm was done other than my needing to clamor off with some “extended” deck lines to gradually haul it up wind and back into deeper water after removing the trailer from the equation. It was what it was so I just worked with it. It provided a bit of ramp entertainment is all. I used a rope loop block-&-tackle pulley system to give me enough leverage to pull the boat back up wind to the pier. (A couple bystanders came up afterwards and wanted me to explain how it worked ) I guess I just have a thicker skin and can see the humor it stuff like this when it happens. No sense getting worked up over stuff… one has to work with the “is condition”

No one is perfect and my pony in life is to have as good a laugh as anyone when it’s my turn to provide the entertainments

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Russ]

Yes there is a reason wavy boats have cameras at these ramps.

Looks like a strong current. Is that a 19?

Always an audience of camera when things go wrong

[Be Free]

There is almost always a strong current running in or out of the river at that ramp. The ramp is right at the mouth of the Anclote River less than a mile from the Gulf.

[Lars H]

My M26 has much more difficulty docking in wind than my old S2 7.2. I am seriously considering a bow mounted electric trolling motor to act as a bow thruster to keep the bow pinned to my dock when I dock single -handed, as my Marina doesn't have dock staff. The added advantage is I could use it as auxiliary power in emergencies. Has anyone tried this?
The Minn Kota PowerDrive Bow-Mount Electric Trolling Motor with GPS, Dual Spectrum Chirp Sonar – 70 Lb. Thrust, 60 in. Shaft saltwater model looks like the best model given the power, shaft length and gps but is 24 volts. I have twin batteries on board (outboard and utility) that are linked together for charging but I'm not sure I can somehow have a way to take power off them to get auxiliary 24 v power to run it. Any marine electricians out there?
Thanks,

[45Plus+]

Definitely looks like a M19. I am wondering what type of motor he's got attached back there. I thought maybe an electric but at some point in the video you can see a pretty strong thrust stream coming sideways out from under the boat....and what sounds to be an ic engine running it. A bit beside the point to this topic stream though.

I rely on calling out the boat club duty officer or finding someone on the docks to catch my bow on days with challenging landing conditions. I will be adding ray lines next year for sure.

[tuxonpup]

My M26 has much more difficulty docking in wind than my old S2 7.2. I am seriously considering a bow mounted electric trolling motor to act as a bow thruster to keep the bow pinned to my dock when I dock single -handed, as my Marina doesn't have dock staff. The added advantage is I could use it as auxiliary power in emergencies. Has anyone tried this?
The Minn Kota PowerDrive Bow-Mount Electric Trolling Motor with GPS, Dual Spectrum Chirp Sonar – 70 Lb. Thrust, 60 in. Shaft saltwater model looks like the best model given the power, shaft length and gps but is 24 volts. I have twin batteries on board (outboard and utility) that are linked together for charging but I'm not sure I can somehow have a way to take power off them to get auxiliary 24 v power to run it. Any marine electricians out there?
Thanks,

You can't use the motor battery for both 12V and 24V applications, and your motor needs 12V so that's out. I have a 24V electric motor for our dingyak and use a pair of 12V lithium ions in series to power it. If you're primarily using it as a bow thruster, I would just add a 24V lithium ion up in the bow as a dedicated power source. Our motor uses a wireless BT controller for forward/reverse controls, be a feature worth looking for if you figure out a decent bow mounting that will actually apply the props power in both directions efficiently.

[Lars H]

Darn Tux,
Appreciate the response!
Your suggestion sounds intriguing though. I didn't want to buy 2 more heavy 12 v batteries that cost $400+ but a 24V lithium ion might be the answer. Might even be able to use in my newly purchased dinghy. I'll check out options for them.
Larry

[Russ]

Here's a bow thruster in the mods section
https://macgregorsailors.com/mods/index ... em&id=1068

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

I can’t find it at the moment but I do recall there was a Mac26M owner sometime back that modified their boat to incorporate a built in through the hull bow thruster (at some considerable effort/expense but that must have been really nice to have!

Minkota makes a nice self deploying/retrieving bow trolling motor that several large & high freeboard boats in our area use regularly.
They are remote controlled with a hand fob and some even integrate with a GPS function to hold position/orientation all by themselves with a push button feature. They seem to work really well and the extension shafts are pretty stiff too.

They also cost a bit so I’m not expecting to ever see one under the Christmas tree (ever ).

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Herschel]

That does look like some pretty tough current. I would have waited for the the other pier on the other side of the ramp to open up. Failing to do that, I would at least have a nice long boat hook ready to deploy from the cockpit. Same up on the bow but also with a bow spring line ready to deploy by the bow crew so you can motor into the pier with the engine. Just can't imagine why folks avoid using boat hooks. They help eliminate so many unsafe or risky situations. I carry three on my Mac and one of those has a fixed loop on it for grabbing cleats.

[JamesToBoot]

...
We try to studiously avoid launching or hauling out at any time other than at peak high tide. It’s just not something to contend with for us.
...
I generally try to look for ramps with a good pontoon and I usually try to hand launch/retrieve rather than powering off/on to the trailer. Yeah I generally plan on getting wet but I don’t mind it. There is less consternation generally.
...

^^^^ absolutely!

That does look like some pretty tough current. I would have waited for the the other pier on the other side of the ramp to open up.

^^^^ agreed!


My first thought of the vid (my apologies if I pi$$ in anyones cheerios) is the guy is having an ID10T error. I get furious watching this, especially watching his wife almost get severely hurt. I might be a little bit harsh, but I would hope when (not if) something dumb like this happens to me, my homies here would hold my feet to the fire.

1. Planning: the situation is obviously well above his still level (its above mine as well and probably above 99% of peoples). He should have forseen such an issue and thus had a backup / exit strategy. At the least, he should have identified the situation and turned back while at a safe distance.
2. His wife almost falls in the water of this extreme current, in a very tight and very congestion place were people are struggle to control their boats. If she'd have fallin in at that point, she would likely get caught between the dock and the boat. He should have never put her in that situation to grab the boat due to his excess speed. To hull with the boat: if your skills can't handle it, don't put your family in harms way. Take the hit on the boat: the cost of repairing some paint later will be a good teacher.
3. Hes compensating for the situation and his inability with speed. To pour salt in the wound, he starts hammering on his engine while feet away from another boat and the dock, again attempting to make up for the situation and his inability with brute force (which does not work well in most boating situations and doesn't work for him here either). Its human nature to add too much power to a situation because you are hurried and are freaking out. Start out with a smaller engine or work out some process that prevents this. I am a big fan of trolling motors for this reason and due to manuverability.
4. I get you're frustrated that things aren't working right and the situation is tough... but loosing your temper and yelling in anger at someone doesn't help, but normally makes things worse. The only person at fault here is yourself for making many bad decisions; don't take your anger for yourself on other people. Your tied to the dock at the bow: secure the rest of the boat and take a breather.

Quick interjection:
I get it, stuff happens. We have to learn. Ive had to do a lot of learning these past 5 years of owning my first boat (family boats and kayaks not counted), which put me into a lot of firsts. But:

• More stuff goes awry when you put yourself in unfamiliar situations, so plan and prepair.
• More stuff breaks the larger craft, so start small.
• More stuff gets damaged with speed, so go slow.

Amazing thing about this era, everything is on the internet. Watching lots of oops videos like this is a great way to prepair before going out. Learn what not to do before you get into that situation... plus its entertainment while you learn.

That being said, I have no idea how to handle this situation. Lots of engine is not the answer in close quarters... but maybe some precautions after prepairing myself beforehand:

• It appears that the boat next to him has the right idea: use the ramp on the upstream side of the dock and use it to guide you to your trailer.
• Attach to the dock near the end where its easier to get to while still pointing upstream and is less congested. "Walk" your way into place, one cleat at a time.
• Attach to the dock using a mid-boat cleat or rear cleat that he (or someone else) can easiler reach within the safety of the cockpit. Its both unneccessary and is an unneeded risk to put someone on the edge of the boat, much less hanging off the bow, and much-more-less to catch a 2500lb boat w a 50HP motor.