Crash while docking.

It was operator error. The person panicked, and "ping ponged" off 3 boats around him.
 
I'm always amazed when watching boaters dock. When they sense they're getting into trouble, rather than go to neutral, they apply more power. I've been guilty of that myself and it almost always ends up with a call to the gelcoat repair place.

I hate it when I do that because I know better.
 
Must have hit really hard to break to break the stanchions and bend the rail like that! :wow:
 
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I was on my iPad last night - looked at the picture - picked up the rail damage.

Looked this morning on a larger desktop screen - hmmm - wonder what else I am missing on the small screen. Maybe I need to upgrade the reading glasses.

Did the bow go underneath something? is that what sheared the rails?
 
Gofirstclass said:
I'm always amazed when watching boaters dock. When they sense they're getting into trouble, rather than go to neutral, they apply more power. I've been guilty of that myself and it almost always ends up with a call to the gelcoat repair place.

I hate it when I do that because I know better.
Click to expand...

I have completely the opposite issue, when I sense I am in trouble I usually cut power to nothing and drift til I figure out where the current is pushing me. I think the whole "go no faster than you would want to hit something" is seared into my brain something good. Sometimes it hampers my docking efforts though, as a little application of power against the current would sometimes better put me back on track! I have a had a couple times where I wasn't happy with my angle of approach and I backed out completely and did it again rather than bang into something.
 
It's kind of a long story. None of the boats involved are Sea Rays, so none of the involved parties are likely on this board, so I will provide some more details.

The gentlemen who hit the boats is in his 80's and reportedly was a good operator. He is now having trouble, and this resulted. It is sad, because we will all be there one day.

My understanding is he did panic, and then hit the bow rail of a sailboat, and then the anchor of a 50 ft Michelson.

The damage is very extensive to the Bayliner - the picture does not show all of it.

The sail boat and sprort fisher also took got some bumps and bruises. All in, the repairs for the 3 boats will probably be 40-50K.
 
watched a brand new boat owner receive his keys from the broker on the dock with a hand shake and put his whole family on board in life jackets. i think it's a 24' rinker or something with a single outdrive.

they left with a little confussion on their faces, i'm sure they have no idea where they are or how to navigate or follow channels or operate a boat,
they came back probably 20 minutes later and at a slightly faster speed than i would feel comfortable with, hit tree boats with bow pulpits and did not turn the wheel to change course at all even after the first strike. there were TONS of witnesses on the dock that they hit and when they came into the slip they received with the purchase (thank god it's on the other side of the dock from me and several boats away) they approached too fast and had to slam the drive in reverse and still struck the dock pretty fast. tons of damage, must have cost a fortune, and all on his first day. i was walking by when the broker asked if he knew what he was doing. and he said yes.
I haven't seen the boat move since that day.

my dock neighbor went over to him and said "wow, expensive first day huh?" he didn't understand until the owners of at least 2 of the boats he hit came over from the other dock to ask about his insurance. his family (6 of them) were still all wearing their life jackets just sitting on the dock.
 
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Thats too bad, for all involved. Bad job by the dealer not at least going out & back in the first time to make sure it went smoothly. When we bought ours last spring we had zero hands-on experience and our salesguy spent an hour showing/helping with docking and adjusting to lake conditions.

Bad job by the new owner being a "know it all" and most likely ruining the entire feeling about boating for his family. Hope he got insurance before taking it out!

After hearing a lot of stories about first time owners I'm pretty happy my marina doesnt have a sales office for throwing out brand new boaters.
 
Yes, in general it is amazing to see some of the boats people purchase with 0, to little experience. I think these pod drives are getting people on the water that should not be there, or need more training with a captain. As we all know, insurance companies often require it, but sometimes only 3-5 lessons, and it is off to the races and the experienced folk pay for it when they bash our boats (not in the case I originaly posted about - different situation). The ability to write a check does not make someone a competent mariner.
 
While I would likely be upset by the events initially, I hope I have the presence of mind to understand....I have insurance, I hope he does, and I remember back when my dad had to sell his truck because he could no longer drive...it was a crushing thing for him and difficult for me as well remembering how it changed him.
 
I think all of us at one or another have seen the crashes sitting around the marina. I almost started typing a couple of stories - then thought - hey, that might be me one day caught in wind and current above my abilities... LOL

But they are interesting to hear.... Not being critical at all at any of the stories shared thus far - always interesting to read.

It's back to the old saying - don't go any faster than you are willing to hit something. And second, think about it before you get in that situation.

Here is to gentle approaches, soft touches, and a successful tie up.
 
The people (my guy) hit were very cool about it, he was very apologetic and many offered him help later that day. He really thought it was bad for the boat to shift in and out of gear while on approach so he came I. With momentum. I don't know what the policy was of the broker/salesman but I agree. Shame on him. It is a simple, single drive boat. We are in a river with a prevailing cross wind and fairly strong current but he was the first boat against the sea wall so the least possible current and the best protection from the wind. This is not a marina for the faint of heart. It is quite difficult when the wind is blowing and current is fighting too. The wi.d blows me away from my finger dock and towards my neighbor all the time. Does.t matter how good you are. Dock hands need to be fast.
 
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