A superstar docker, that is.
In all honesty, he's done a fantastic job docking the boat. It is no easy feat. The boat handles nothing like a car. It turns from the middle, and in reverse you barely have any steering and it "walks" it one side all the time. When dock a boat, the one thing you don't want to do is slide along the dock, you'll end up scraping the entire side of your boat (very expensive). You want to approach at a 45 degree angle.
There are a few other things you have to pay attention to. You don't want to come in too fast but if you come in too slow you have no steering. You have to get close enough to the dock for someone to jump off with a line. There are no brakes, the only way to stop is to reverse, which moves your stern (the back of the boat). The have to be aware of tides, currents, winds, and wakes from passing boats. And if you're going to hit something hit the least expensive boat (same rule applies to driving).
Josh displayed his finest docking skills just the other day. He had to first pass between two very big and expensive trawlers (power boats) which blocked his view of the dock. He then had to "parallel" park the boat in front of one of the trawlers and behind a sailboat. I was convinced that L'Attitude wasn't going to fit and that we were about to get ourselves into quite the predicament. However, Josh appeared calm (later I found out he was probably more nervous than I was) and was going for it. We had no more than 6 feet at either end of the boat. He pulled in perfectly, all I had to do was step (not even leap) on to the dock and calmly fasten the spring line.
Normally what happens is someone leaps to the dock, line in hand, runs either forward or back depending on which way you shouldn't be going, wraps the line halfway around the cleat and hangs on trying to stop a +15000 pound boat. Which believe it or not you can do, I can do it depending on the speed the boat was traveling of course.
Josh has proven himself a true Captain. I've decided to be the Admiral, a higher rank than Captain, I'm the one who gets to give the orders!!!
We're looking forward to having you all come aboard so we can show off our new skills!
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6 comments:
Josh,
Congratulations on your helmsmanship.
Well guys... I'll admit I had not read your blog for a couple of days and glad you are safe.
Seems you are getting your fair share of experience. Proud of you guys for handling both the good and bad soooo professionally.
Congrats Josh on your promotion!
Have a happy day. Michelle
Josh, Can you give me lessons when you get home..............
Have a great day and keep cool
26 here and cloudy - announcing t-storms this afternoon.
ooops bad word LOL
XXXX
CKM
I guess every woman has to have their own idle lucky josh. We were just wondering if the lightening curled josh's hair. Nice top rox , not yours but the boats. We just got back from cuba so we can understand the need for a/c. Enjoy your trip what ever happens happens it is all part of the experience, keep smiling unfortunatly it is hard to put it all on a c.v. take alot of pictures the best is yet to come
love Mark and Johanne
Captain Josh ... now there is a promotion. It is truely amazing that within 15 months you have made Captain all the way from being Beer Cooler Attendant at the beginning of our BVI vacation on board Kokomo. I am impressed Josh .. well done!
Remeber the old saying when docking ... prop walk is either your friend or your foe ... master the prop walk and you will forever inspire envy from the folks on the docks! Sounds like you are well on your way Josh.
I hope Solomons is kind to you both while you wait out the lightning repairs.
So anxious to see you on the lake!
Dad
well Josh sounds like your getting better, I remember you parking your old BMW on top of a steel post in knowlton and i had to pull you off with my truck, so dont do it again cuz your too far away for me help out.
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