Docking…On A Bed of Marbles

“Backing a boat into a slip in a cross wind is like trying to parallel park a car on a bed of marbles.”  That’s about the best analogy I’ve heard so far, and I read it this week in a very helpful article in Motor Boating Magazine‘s e-newsletter (July 28, 2009).

As anyone boating on the South Shore will attest, the wind has been somewhat of an issue lately.  It’s hard to find a day when it’s NOT blowing at a steady 15 – 20 knots.  The slips are tight in my marina – in Scituate Harbor - so getting in and out can  be a bit stressful.  So the timing of the article was greatly appreciated (plus, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one!).

The writer, Vince Daniello, does a nice job covering all the angles – and all the situations.  From backing into your slip in a cross wind, to dealing with strong currents.  He also addresses the subtle, and not so subtle differences between navigating an outboard, inboard or twin screw craft.

Some other topics he addresses: keeping control while backing in to your slip by keeping your stern into the wind; springing a bow line (very valuable); after bow springs for tight spots; operating pod drives; propeller side force; and docking with a single inboard and bow thruster.  It’s well written, it speaks to all of us (boaters of every level) and it inspires some confidence.  But read for yourself.  I’d be curious to know if you have any tips yourself.

I’ve mentioned before that I own an Edgewater 228CC.  As my neighbor in the slip next to me said, “it’s a big 22′.”  And it is.  It’s got a very high free board, so in the slightest of breezes, the wind picks up my hull like a sail boat and takes it where it wants. For me, stern into the wind has been the biggest success.  Sometimes, even to get out of my slip, I have to back all the way out and into the open channel – but hey, better that then sliding sideways, like on a bed of marbles, into someone else’s boat!

On a separate note, Motor Boating does a great job with their email newsletters — they’re high design, easy to navigate and are packed with very helpful information.  It’s the one  email newsletter I actually look forward to.  Nice job and keep them coming!

Destinations: The Spit, Scituate MA

A single photo really says it all…

Located at the mouth of the North River in Scituate, the Spit is one of the most idyllic destinations – not only on the South Shore, but in all of New England.  In all my years of boating, I’ve never seen anything like it — anywhere.  Countless square miles of pure, clean sand rises out of the ocean and presents a massive playground complete with tide pools filled with hermit crabs, spider crabs and lots of other fun creatures for the kids to hunt and capture.

Weekends are packed, and the 4th of July is like a scene out of a movie, where boaters from as far off as the North Shore pull up and drop anchor for the day.  If you time it right with the tides, you can spend an entire day.  But also be aware, it’s not a walk in the park.  With the massive tidal swings and the ripping current of the North River, it can be tricky.  Everyone seems to have a ‘story’ of that one day at the Spit when anchor lines gave way, sending boats hurtling into each other, or currents that made for one too many close calls for swimmers.

But don’t get me wrong, while you need to be careful, it’s also the most spectacular spot for a day on the water.

Welcome to The Water’s Edge

I own a 2006 Edgewater 228CC.  I love this boat.  I love everything about it; the way it looks, the way it cuts through the chop like it was nothing, the way the 225 HP four stroke engine hums quietly at full throttle, to the way people look at it when I’m coming into the harbor, or anchored on the Spit.  It’s an incredible boat.

It’s my first Edgwater.  And as my dad was a Bertram man, I think I very well may be an Edgewater lifer.  While I can’t imagine ever getting rid of this boat, it’s fun to dream about bigger Edgewaters.  But only if I hit the lottery.  If that ever happens, Bertrams might enter those dreams as well. But right now, they’re just that….dreams.  I’m very happy with my 228.

I started The Water’s Edge mainly as an outlet.  Since I think about boating 24/7, I might as well write about it.  I’m also new to the South Shore of Massachusetts and the waters around here.  I know I have a lot to learn.  It’s only my fourth season on these waters and I’m a cautious boater.  Almost to a fault.  The South Shore is rocky, so you have to know where you’re going.

I grew up boating in the Long Island Sound.  Seemed to me that when I was a kid, you didn’t have to worry too much.  Just set a heading and start cruising (I’m sure my dad will remember it differently).  And there were dozens and dozens of destinations; your choice of destination just depended on how long you wanted to be out that day.

As far as the waters around here, I’m still learning, discovering, exploring.  So my other objective with The Water’s Edge is to hopefully earn a following of like-minded boaters in the area who’ve been-there/done-that and who don’t mind chiming in and sharing their experiences on these pages.

Welcome to The Water’s Edge.