Tricky One

boristhebold · 04 July 2019, 23:28

Ok here is a tricky one, I observed a chap with his family in a boat today in the marina trying to come alongside a pontoon, apparently hes only had the boat 3 days, a small sports boat, the way he was handling the boat in a narrow channel on the throttle probably a third forward with the handle, engine roaring boat lurching then same in reverse, looked a nightmare, I am totally convinced that he will injure himself in an accident or someone else very soon, so the question is what would you say to them, they really need some training. No-one is perfect but this chap is just dangerous its as simple as that. should someone say something to them, should it be the marina persons that say something ?

Thoughts welcome.

The other thing I saw today which made me cringe was a beautiful yacht I think an Oceanstar 48.1 trying to go down the narrow channel by cobbs dry stack pontoon toward the fuel berths, only problem was that yacht has a keel depth of 1.9M and the channel depth at the time (about an hour before low tide) was approx 1.7M or 1.8M (0.9M chartered or 1.0M + 0.8M), and yes it ran aground right opposite the dry stack pontoon. ouch.

Pikey Dave · 05 July 2019, 06:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Thoughts welcome.

.

I think you need to stop finding things to worry about, & get on with your own life

paulb33 · 05 July 2019, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Ok here is a tricky one, I observed a chap with his family in a boat today in the marina trying to come alongside a pontoon, apparently hes only had the boat 3 days, a small sports boat, the way he was handling the boat in a narrow channel on the throttle probably a third forward with the handle, engine roaring boat lurching then same in reverse, looked a nightmare, I am totally convinced that he will injure himself in an accident or someone else very soon, so the question is what would you say to them, they really need some training. No-one is perfect but this chap is just dangerous its as simple as that. should someone say something to them, should it be the marina persons that say something ?

Thoughts welcome.

The other thing I saw today which made me cringe was a beautiful yacht I think an Oceanstar 48.1 trying to go down the narrow channel by cobbs dry stack pontoon toward the fuel berths, only problem was that yacht has a keel depth of 1.9M and the channel depth at the time (about an hour before low tide) was approx 1.7M or 1.8M (0.9M chartered or 1.0M + 0.8M), and yes it ran aground right opposite the dry stack pontoon. ouch.

Haven’t we all been there? Or is it just me?

willk · 05 July 2019, 07:18

It seems to me that you should affect a slight "W" speech impediment and shake your head from side to side, allowing yer jowls to flap a bit and say:
"Itsh awbsolwootley weprewhensible!!"

For more positive reinforcement you might need one of these:

willk · 05 July 2019, 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulb33

Haven’t we all been there? Or is it just me?

"Ya haven't been around if ya haven't been aground."

aka

Better Aground than Adrift

Poly · 05 July 2019, 07:48

Borris,

2 questions for you:

1. Have you ever known any man take unsolicited advice from a total stranger, who criticised their use of / skills operating something with an engine?

2. If a total stranger came up to you and started telling you you were an idiot (I know that is not how you would word it - but that is what he will hear) in front of your family how would you react?

He may realise he’s out his depth in which case he’ll find some training or he’ll stop using / sell the boat. Clever marina staff might be able to make him aware of local providers or even suggest a special offer for marina users/families etc - but I’d say it’s not that unlikely that you’d get thumped if you approach it wrong!

boristhebold · 05 July 2019, 08:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Borris,

2 questions for you:

1. Have you ever known any man take unsolicited advice from a total stranger, who criticised their use of / skills operating something with an engine?

Boris reply - yes if its constructive and helpfull, and in this case it would be e.g. he should operate throttle from the base of the throttle lever when manouvering at slow speed so that he can apply a small amount of throttle rather than from the top of the lever where there is a tendancy to apply too much throttle as you have less control on fine movement of thr throttle.

2. If a total stranger came up to you and started telling you you were an idiot (I know that is not how you would word it - but that is what he will hear) in front of your family how would you react?

boris reply - not necessarily, construcive critisism is just that, its how its delivered, maybe he would welcome some advice.

He may realise he’s out his depth in which case he’ll find some training or he’ll stop using / sell the boat. Clever marina staff might be able to make him aware of local providers or even suggest a special offer for marina users/families etc - but I’d say it’s not that unlikely that you’d get thumped if you approach it wrong!

boris reply - I think by the time he realises that, it will be too late and he will allready have had an accident.

boris reply - If I see him again at the marina I will show him the trick with the throttle at low speeds.

boristhebold · 05 July 2019, 08:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I think you need to stop finding things to worry about, & get on with your own life

No real need to be rude, I was just asking some advice or is that not the done thing anymore on this forum.

scrambler · 05 July 2019, 08:48

This is how you get into the pontoons on the narrow channel at Cobbs Quay:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUtZHURF...on_share_sheet

Pikey Dave · 05 July 2019, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

No real need to be rude, I was just asking some advice or is that not the done thing anymore on this forum.

Not being rude at all. You asked for thoughts & that what I genuinely think. I’m being very sincere (for a change) you can’t change the world, for every idiot, there’re plenty more queuing up behind him. Let them get on with it. Did anyone get hurt? It’s not a problem until it’s a problem, then you deal with it. Don’t go seeking them out.

boristhebold · 05 July 2019, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrambler

This is how you get into the pontoons on the narrow channel at Cobbs Quay:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUtZHURF...on_share_sheet

she can handle boats very well, ive seen her many times but that video im not that impressed by, glad it wasn't my boat, each boat hit the pontoon and one hit with its bow, not really ideal, if she were going a tad slower and then hit reverse just a slight bit it may have prevented the impacts.

Phil M · 05 July 2019, 11:50

Personally I'd try to gauge the owner a little bit (to work out if saying something would endanger my life/teeth etc.) the, if I felt safe enough, I'd say something, politely and in a friendly manner. Perhaps suggest that taking things more slowly gives more time to react and then drop in the idea of PBL2 etc.

I guess its part of my industry but we are trained and encouraged to intervene in safety situations. It can be a daunting thought but on the few times I've done it, most people seem grateful, as ultimately you're looking out for their safety. Also, I know how I'd feel if I said nothing and a few days later the guy managed to loose a child overboard and run them down.

scrambler · 05 July 2019, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

she can handle boats very well, ive seen her many times but that video im not that impressed by, glad it wasn't my boat, each boat hit the pontoon and one hit with its bow, not really ideal, if she were going a tad slower and then hit reverse just a slight bit it may have prevented the impacts.

Those boats are not grp, they're plastic or something, so designed to take impacts🙂

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OKqjr660neU

The boats at Poole are I think called Logic 17's but it's the same boat, just a branding change or something.

Fender · 05 July 2019, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil M

It can be a daunting thought but on the few times I've done it, most people seem grateful, as ultimately you're looking out for their safety. Also, I know how I'd feel if I said nothing and a few days later the guy managed to loose a child overboard and run them down.

+1

Exactly what I was going to say

A mate last year went flying past us while we were anchored up, he only had to hit a wave wrong or had a mechanical issue and he'd have 'T' boned our RIB, when I say us I mean my family inc my kids

. I wasn't best pleased.........he was WAY too close and I 'politely' told him, not a conversation I enjoyed but I'd do the same again, every time.

neil.mccrirrick · 05 July 2019, 14:27

Mates and strangers two different things. If someone’s bad practice will impact you directly having a word is deffo the right thing to do......mate or stranger handing out advice is a different thing altogether. For a start it assumes (if you are giving the advice) you know better.....

neil.mccrirrick · 05 July 2019, 14:28

Carrying a clip board and high viz jacket does seem to help some [emoji1][emoji106]

Poly · 05 July 2019, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

No real need to be rude, I was just asking some advice or is that not the done thing anymore on this forum.

See, you solicited advice and pikey provided his opinion, and you didn’t like it so “react”. Now take a bloke who doesn’t know you, hasn’t asked for advice, and I really think you stand much more chance of getting some abuse than a gracious thanks. Obviously the way the message is delivered has an impact on the response - but in my experience the sort of person who is happy to jump in a boat with no training and seemingly no experience, along with their family is exactly the type to find what you think is helpful coaching to be an affront to his masculinity.

Of course you could strike up a “friendship” and wait for him to remark about struggling to control it - then he’s invited your input. But if he’d asked for your wisdom you wouldn’t be asking for ours!

If his biggest issue is where he is holding the throttle he’ll probably work a lot out for himself over the next few trips. There’s a lot to be said for that natural feel/understanding rather than learning rules anyway.

Mercury · 05 July 2019, 17:45

Not tricky at all, just let them get on with it, we all learn by mistakes..

Last Tango · 05 July 2019, 17:57

Maybe...just maybe, he's just had a raging row with the wife and he's taking it out on the boat.

If this is the case, perhaps some marital advice first just by way of introducing yourself and then tell him straight up not to be so F**k!n@ careless with the boat. Then tell him he owes you a pint for your intervention.

Everyone's happy and he knows not to reap vengeance on his boat again.

Result

Bigplumbs · 05 July 2019, 23:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Not being rude at all. You asked for thoughts & that what I genuinely think. I’m being very sincere (for a change) you can’t change the world, for every idiot, there’re plenty more queuing up behind him. Let them get on with it. Did anyone get hurt? It’s not a problem until it’s a problem, then you deal with it. Don’t go seeking them out.

I thought you were being Rude

Where are you in the que