Docking Bungles
Yesterday | 10:30 PM
#22
Registered
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 407
Likes: 564
From: SoCal/Lake Havasu/NJ
Still Laughing
Back in 1995 we were rigging a 33 ft Hydratech triple 2.4 engine cat called the Beast. My customer had it painted pink and white with matching pink and white interior with lounges that made you feel like you were sitting in a strip club. The owner was a great guy and big big musclehead and former Mr. NJ bodybuilder. He also had installed a super loud stereo for its day. He was anxious to get the boat in the water although the rigging wasn’t complete. For some reason we only had reverse gear on 1 engine.
Since triples are a challenge to drive and he had no experience I drove up to silver bay with him so he could show off to his buddies that were anchored, with the stereo booming. Life was good and my client was happy. We decided to go back to the marina and back on the trailer. Here’s were life wasn’t too good. I go position the boat parallel to the dock. As we got close the wind started to push the bow out and the starboard motor was about to hit the dock piling. My client was screwing with the remote for the stereo and wasn’t paying attention so I jumped up and ran to the stern to push off so we wouldn’t hit. In doing so I lost my balance and I had to jump off the boat to the dock.
Now he has to drive and circle back and dock. As he turns around the motor that has reverse stalls. Now he has to make a 2 point turn and is heading right for this 20 ft white and blue welcraft eclipse caddy cabin that was docked. He says over the blaring music and mosquito smoke screen of the 2.4 NO REVERSE, NO REVERSE while pulling the quadrant of the motor that is stalled while the other 2 were in forward. I jumped onto the bow of the welcraft to fend him off but he was coming in Hot. Like an F18 coming into a carrier landing. . That boat was a heavy sled. Momentum was not our friend. His approach to contact was at about a 75 degree angle to the welcraft bow. He yells again NO REVERSE NO REVERSE as the starboard pickle fork goes through the cabin with 2 feet of penetration. He then says for a final time no reverse. That hydratec,went through that cabin like a steel battering ram through balsa wood.
I jumped onto the bow and started the stalled motor and backed it out as it made a creaking snap crackle pop sound. Fiberglass was floating in the water and you could see the cuddys cabin boat cushions from the 2 1/2 ft diameter hole. We docked and tied up. The hydrateck has minimal scrapes on the rub rail. Pink paint on the welcraft was damming evidence.
Im laughing now just recalling this story.
Since triples are a challenge to drive and he had no experience I drove up to silver bay with him so he could show off to his buddies that were anchored, with the stereo booming. Life was good and my client was happy. We decided to go back to the marina and back on the trailer. Here’s were life wasn’t too good. I go position the boat parallel to the dock. As we got close the wind started to push the bow out and the starboard motor was about to hit the dock piling. My client was screwing with the remote for the stereo and wasn’t paying attention so I jumped up and ran to the stern to push off so we wouldn’t hit. In doing so I lost my balance and I had to jump off the boat to the dock.
Now he has to drive and circle back and dock. As he turns around the motor that has reverse stalls. Now he has to make a 2 point turn and is heading right for this 20 ft white and blue welcraft eclipse caddy cabin that was docked. He says over the blaring music and mosquito smoke screen of the 2.4 NO REVERSE, NO REVERSE while pulling the quadrant of the motor that is stalled while the other 2 were in forward. I jumped onto the bow of the welcraft to fend him off but he was coming in Hot. Like an F18 coming into a carrier landing. . That boat was a heavy sled. Momentum was not our friend. His approach to contact was at about a 75 degree angle to the welcraft bow. He yells again NO REVERSE NO REVERSE as the starboard pickle fork goes through the cabin with 2 feet of penetration. He then says for a final time no reverse. That hydratec,went through that cabin like a steel battering ram through balsa wood.
I jumped onto the bow and started the stalled motor and backed it out as it made a creaking snap crackle pop sound. Fiberglass was floating in the water and you could see the cuddys cabin boat cushions from the 2 1/2 ft diameter hole. We docked and tied up. The hydrateck has minimal scrapes on the rub rail. Pink paint on the welcraft was damming evidence.
Im laughing now just recalling this story.
