T&T: "Cold Iron" Solutions for one

[Garrett Lambert]

In August we were assigned a berth in Genoa Bay Marina that worried me more 
and more as we cruised up the long, crowded and converging vee-shaped 
fairway. We ended up side-tied at the innermost point with the bow slightly 
over-hanging the tee-dock. I worried that whole afternoon and the next 
morning about how we were going to get out.

With a single engine, I really didn't want to have to back up the more than 
one hundred meters with  little room to spare to the packed-in boats lining 
either side. Since there was no boat on the other side of the fairway, I 
thought to swing my bow around by hand, but after using the Tee dock to pace 
the distance available, concluded the boat was too long to make it. Several 
other boaters opined there would be room to spare. With nothing to lose by 
trying, and the Admiral controlling a stern line, I walked the bow around. 
When she called out that the stern was touching, the bow cleared the other 
dock by less than an inch. "See", said the several, "Lots of room to spare!"

Two women had watched the show from their 37' Nordic Tug which was now tied 
up directly in fromt of and facing my newly positioned boat. The driver came 
over and allowed how she, too, was worried about having to back out and 
wondered how she might get turned around.

Knowing she had a bow thruster, I suggested she let me control the stern 
with a line while she used the thruster to swing the bow around - there was 
enough room - and that, too worked like a charm.

There's always a solution, even if sometimes it's just a matter of waiting. 
Cruising with another couple in our respective boats, they tied their 
sailboat up on the sea-side of the Maple Bay Yacht Club's outside dock, and 
were promptly pinned by a strong wind. Since we were to stay for the night 
in inside slips, the wharfinger said to relax. The wind would die down at 
5:00 PM, guaranteed. And it did. What would have been a difficult undocking 
was then a simple one, indeed.

Cheers, Garrett



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jimt2" <jimt2@centurytel.net>
To: <trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2006 7:43 PM
Subject: T&T: Two or One


> This whole thread seems a just tad incongruous to me.  All these years 
> I've
> been jealous of those who had two propellers with which to maneuver their
> vessels.  Ya see, I've only ever had just one, mostly centered, but a few
> just a bit off center.  I still get closer to things than I want, and much
> closer to things than Herself allows, but I can get into and out of places
> that used to make me shudder.  Yeah I've struck some other vessels, way in
> the past, and some docks, etc.  Never really hard enough to do real 
> damage.
> Never enough that the owner thought they wished to make a report or claim.
> In other words, I've been lucky.
>
> Recently I've been assigned, a few times to, operate vessels belonging to 
> my
> employer.  One, a 28 foot "unsinkable" uses two very powerful outboards,
> another, a modern aluminum, 36 foot cat, uses two very powerful, turbo
> diesel, inboard/outdrives.  Both far above my experience but quite a joy 
> to
> maneuver in close quarters.  The cat, due to it's decreased forefoot, 
> turns
> more abruptly but still predictably.  But both will easily turn "on the
> props."  This can be done quietly, efficiently and with professional
> appearances.  Or it can be done with "FLARE !"
>
> In our area of operation we can get flat, calm conditions.  Or it can get
> absolutely abysmal.  Because of company markings we must always be aware
> that we will be watched.  You know, if it can't be made to look like you
> know what you're doing, get the situation throttled down to parameters
> you're better with.  And never damage anything!  Never let them see you
> sweat!
>
> I'll still be able to handle my old CHB, Lehman 80HP, 33footer, or I can
> always wait for better conditions.  Not just once I've made a tight turn
> around just on the lines alone, cold iron.  Not a pretty move but it does
> save fuel.  I'll always appreciate twin screw boats.  One day maybe
> "Herself" will allow me the Fleming 55, I fell for three years ago. 
> Watched
> the helmsman turn around inside about 60 feet and stuff her into a slip
> against the tide and wind, with other boats all around.  All with 
> throttles
> at just an idle and slick handling of the gear cases.  An occasional trip
> from the helm,  AMIDSHIP !, out either side to see where he was.  Gads 
> that
> was cool.  No fuss, no muss, no noise.  The guy knew his vessel, knew the
> conditions and already knew what he needed to do and how to put it into
> operation.  Thought it sorta cool too, that the show got a standing "O" 
> and
> lots of tooting of horns from those already secured alongside.
>
> In other words,  I've always thought that's why people procured boats with
> two propellers.  They're just easier to twist into the small places, 
> harbor
> masters point to, when we've used up our trip and have come to a place 
> where
> we can begin to plan the next one.
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