Spring Ding!

[delevi]

I wasn't sure whether to post this, since this is the first time I actually wrecked anything and I feel like a total dumbass. However, in lieu of my ego, I feel it's best to help someone else avoid a similar problem.

I was pulling into my slip at the end of a lovely day of sailing last Saturday. I wish I could say the wind was blowing 25 kts+ as it often does, but it was more like 12 kts. The current was strong, however, as it typically is. The tricky part about getting into my slip is to catch the bow before the current takes it away. I use a big loop for a stern docking line which I temporarily throw over the cleat on the dock, then run forward to grab the bow. This time, I wasn't quick enough and the bow got away from me. The boat quickly swung away from the dock with the stern angling towards the dock. I had to move fast so the outboard or rudders don't get damaged. I jumped back on board and decided to use the engine do spring around the dock, since the stern line was attached. I have it a fair amount of throttle. The bow came around a bit but then stopped with the rear corner of the hull pressed up against the corner of the dock. I gave it some more juice. I heard the rusty old cleat on the dock creaking, looking like I am just about to rip it out of the dock. I threw her in neutral quickly *BAD MOVE!* The forces reversed and the boat jolted sharply backwards with much force. CRUNCH! That was my outboard hitting the corner of the dock!



We're talking over $1K to replace the exterior casing. Don't let this happen to you.

Fair Winds,
Leon

[SailDog]

Bummer, Leon. Thanks for the heads up.

[K9Kampers]

Yikes!
I was shocked at your estimate...until I saw the prices myself! One source has the lower engine covers at $647 for each half! Now, if you had all the broken pieces and like puzzles...

[Kelly Hanson East]

How important is the cover for engine operation...could you just seal it with plastic until you find that seized engine on ebay and get the cover off that??

[WD]

Any chance insurance would cover it? reasonable deductible?

Cheers

[Québec 1]

Check out the want adds, garage sals and junk yards maybe you can find a used one for 20$

[Love MACs]

What a bummer! I think the idea about finding a burnt out, seized up engine is worth looking into. Surely you could find one at a local repair shop, instead of buying new???



Allan

[bastonjock]

delvi,why dont you patch it untill you can find an seized engine.

Fiberglass ,using aluminium mesh(all auto ships in Uk have it), adheer mesh to cassing and slap the fiberglass over the hole,let it harden and than grind it flat.


Sorry to see that happen to you,its a real bummer that one

[delevi]

I considered doing a repair w/ fiberglass but when I took the covers off the engine, there are just too many breaks and cracks in areas with countours, as well as the front and back portion which fit the top cover. i.e. would require precision work. I also took it to two plastic fabricators. Both said they couldn't repair it, at least not for less than the cost of a new one. The idea of finding a burnt out engine is good, but considering that etec only came out in 03 or 04, and have proven quite reliable, I doubt there would be any out there. I'll check around, just don't want to spend months looking and not being able to use the boat. Covers don't impair engine operation but exposure to salt water is probably a bad thing. Thanks all for the ideas.

Leon

[Hardcrab]

Sorry for your bad luck.
The accident seemed to occur because the bow got away before you could control it.
Someone on this board suggested a method that can eliminate this from happening in a strong cross wind/current.
Since my "standard" docking conditions usually has a cross wind, I gave it a try, and the results are great.
Use a bow line long enough to reach the cockpit routed outside the stays.
(For stowage while underway, it can be tied off to the forward stanchion).
Use a stern line long enough to temporary tie to the longer bow line.
Use a shorter, looped stern line tied to the same boat cleat.
Bring to boat close to the dock and jump to the dock bringing the tied line with you. You will now "own" the bow and stern at the same time.
Dock cleat the shorter looped stern line, walk the held line towards the bow a cleat off that. Untie the joining knot and use the longer stern line as a spring line to finish the docking job.

This can work perfectly in any condition that you even can bring the boat to the dock in.
Many thanks to whoever suggested this method.

[Québec 1]

I solo all the time and on lowering tide have a cross current of at least 3 knots plus wind which at first just whipped me up on to the next guys boat when docking.
I now always have the bow line tied to the midship stanchion and the stern line well layed on the cockpit cushion when entering the marina. Once the bow hits the dock I take both lines in my hand , put the motor in neutral step on to the dock and tie them up. Works well every time. Looks like I know what I'm doing.
Q1

[delevi]

Thanks Hardcap & Q1. Excellent idea. Will absolutely implement.
L.

[beene]

To add to that, I actually put a bumper in my slip at the head of it. I purposely plow into it, slow and steady, once the bow of the boat touches it, I leave the motor in fwd and turn the helm just a bit as to pin the port side against the dock. I then step off calmly, take my time, and tie off stern and bow lines, then hop back on and shut her down.

Cheers

G

[beene]

Leon

Looking at your motor picture above, and your 115 thread.... your current banged up wee motor looks a bit..... tiny compared to....



Of course.... yours will fit under the seat.....

........ and mine...... well............ not so much



LOL

G

[RickJ]

Seriously bad luck I'll make sure to be especially careful, at those prices a prang like that to my old engine would write it off

Similar to other posts, I keep my springer-length lines permanently tied between bow and stern cleats, running along the outside. They are pulled tight and securely cleated. As soon as I touch the dock, even if not ideally straight, I just step off and grab the line, and it works like a huge handle along the length of the boat. Even in quite a strong crosswind or current it's not too hard to pull the boat up to the dock.

There is just enough give in the line to be able to pull it down and hook it over a dock cleat, where it will stay under its own tension while I sort out bow and stern lines.

Cheers, Rick