Dock Follies from a Stroll at the Marina
You can learn a lot just by walking the docks. There are clever ways to set up your dinghy davits, interesting snubbers and spring lines, and simply lots to observe and learn. Then there are a few things that are puzzling or possibly dangerous.
The boat below appears to have made the convenience of a bow roller very inconvenient. It’s not the right anchor/roller combo to actually work well, and it looks as if the struggle to get the anchor running smoothly out the roller and dropping to the bottom has been taken to the extreme.
Other dock follies include the long, overhanging bowsprit. If you want to practice the limbo, it’s a huge opportunity. For those walking fast with their head down while talking on their cellphone, it’s a huge liability. The anchor and bow roller below look fine, as long as you notice them before you run into them.
Some people have trouble parallel parking a car, and we understand boats are far more complicated. One of the attractions of sailing is lifelong learning, and we have numerous examples of our own regular sailing follies to prove that’s true. If you have dock curiosities to share, email them to [email protected].
Oh those bow pulpits can be a killer. I’m 6’4” and whacked my forehead on one, then fell backwards and hit the back of my head on the concrete dock! When I came to, I found my phone in my pocket and took a selfie. Texted the bloody pic to my wife and she about went into shock! She drove me to the ER, where they concluded I had a concussion. Not a fun afternoon.
The Harbormaster should require padding and a buoy hung on that bowsprit. That’s been what I’ve been directed to do in similar situations.
The harbourmaster should place him in a bigger berth.
I keep a stash of old Mae West life preservers that I hang on bowsprits without asking for permission.
The first picture looks like the owner has never been anchored out!