Common Etiquette screw ups for novices

[SuW]

Treat people as you wish to be treated. Tell people you're new at this and ask for advice or comments. You can always ignore it, but they'll love you for asking.

Not really on topic, and not that anyone will believe this, but last year some halfwits at the dock were shooting at wildlife with an air rifle.

I don't think etiquette-fail really applies though. To handle this required a full-on Curse by the God Pan...and...they lost their boat off Bermuda.

We shouldn't have to explain that this is really bad karma (and anyway cormorants and little terns are not edible. Who knew?)

[SunnySky]

I would heartily 2nd the points Jamme listed, and I would add that there are some seemingly small things that a guest can easily do that are greatly appreciated, especially: taking all their trash/recycling plus additional boat trash/recycling with them and the if they are visiting at a remote location allowing owner to ship small items which they can bring to the boat with them.

[rslifkin]

The people who let their engines run for 20 minutes before doing anything are annoying. But IMO, the people who fire it up, give it 10 seconds and take off are being irresponsible.

For my boat, on a warm restart, I'll usually give my engines 30 seconds at high idle, then idle down and go. On a cold start, at anchor, they get 2 - 3 minutes at high idle, then idle down and start pulling up the anchor. At the dock, it's usually about 2 minutes at high idle while I unplug shore power, remove extra dock lines, etc. Once the temp gauges have started to move and I've got those tasks done, idle down, confirm good idle, then remove remaining dock lines and go.

It's worth making sure the thing will stay running and isn't going to stall when you put it in gear. But letting it run for more than a couple of minutes is a waste.

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Because an anchor marker blocks out more space in the anchorage than is required for safe anchoring. It means anchored boats can't swing over your anchor, which means fewer boats can anchor safely in the same area. Hence the analogy to the car parking sideways, which takes up more space than is required, and blocks other from using the area.

An anchor marker is unnecessary, and also unsafe given the tangling risk the float poses to other passing boats, and indeed your own.

ok.

I've never had it happen to me but in an anchorage where I've got my 7:1 out lets say, and the wind has shifted, I'm no longer pointed at my anchor.

Now someone anchors such that their rode crosses mine, and I want to leave.

What happens when I attempt to weigh my anchor?

Are there any situations where anchor marker floats help?

[crazyhorse]

Originally Posted by lestersails

Assume you mean running it any more than absolutely necessary? I always thought that I have start my motor to use the windlass, right? It can take a few mins to spool up a large amount of rode.

We are the same, our winch takes 120 amps so we need to float charge the forward battery (and others on board) so we don't over heat the alternator, which has happened. I am talking this ridiculous need to "lubricate and warm up" a engine. Even turbo charged diesels are ready to go in less than a minute, the quicker you can heat up an engine, the less wear and the best way to do that is in gear, prop running. They have a thermostat which is supposed to speed up that process..and in most cases does. What is an annoyance is this common (you will see it in marinas) belief that your engine requires frequent running and / or idling to keep it happy. IT DOESNT. Start the thing when ready to go or haul anchor . A even petrol (sorry..gasoline) engines could sit for years without running and no damage, start and run....go.
It's not hard to spot those who have for some strange reason, thought idling an engine for a while is a good idea....The blue smoke is a dead giveaway and if you are unfortunatly down wind of one...you dont have to guess the rest.

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

We are the same, our winch takes 120 amps so we need to float charge the forward battery (and others on board) so we don't over heat the alternator, which has happened. I am talking this ridiculous need to "lubricate and warm up" a engine. Even turbo charged diesels are ready to go in less than a minute, the quicker you can heat up an engine, the less wear and the best way to do that is in gear, prop running. They have a thermostat which is supposed to speed up that process..and in most cases does. What is an annoyance is this common (you will see it in marinas) belief that your engine requires frequent running and / or idling to keep it happy. IT DOESNT. Start the thing when ready to go or haul anchor . A even petrol (sorry..gasoline) engines could sit for years without running and no damage, start and run....go.
It's not hard to spot those who have for some strange reason, thought idling an engine for a while is a good idea....The blue smoke is a dead giveaway and if you are unfortunatly down wind of one...you dont have to guess the rest.

Understand and agree!

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by flightlead404

ok.

I've never had it happen to me but in an anchorage where I've got my 7:1 out lets say, and the wind has shifted, I'm no longer pointed at my anchor.

Now someone anchors such that their rode crosses mine, and I want to leave.

What happens when I attempt to weigh my anchor?

Are there any situations where anchor marker floats help?

Oh No!!! This could turn into an anchor thread

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by flightlead404

ok.

I've never had it happen to me but in an anchorage where I've got my 7:1 out lets say, and the wind has shifted, I'm no longer pointed at my anchor.

Now someone anchors such that their rode crosses mine, and I want to leave.

What happens when I attempt to weigh my anchor?

Are there any situations where anchor marker floats help?

I'm not sure I understand what you mean about not pointing at your anchor. You're always hanging down-wind or down current of your anchor (except in very weird wind/current mixes).

But I get the concern... It can happen that rodes can be laid out overlapped. This can be a problem, but one easily solved with a little cooperation. There are also tools that can be used to lift overlaying anchor chains.

But this is a very rare event. It has never happened to me, in my two decades of anchoring. Granted, I'm mostly in more remote areas, but I did spend a number of years in busier places (North Channel, 1000 Islands). Never an issue.

The only time an anchor float makes sense is when you've had to deploy a trip line. This is only in anchorages where you have a strong suspicion that your anchor could be fouled by debris. These anchorages tend to be lightly visited, so it's not a problem.

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

What is an annoyance is this common (you will see it in marinas) belief that your engine requires frequent running and / or idling to keep it happy. IT DOESNT. Start the thing when ready to go or haul anchor . A even petrol (sorry..gasoline) engines could sit for years without running and no damage

Indeed. Starting it and not getting it to operating temp and keeping it there for 20 mins to boil out all the water is worse than letting it sit. Plus ofc the build up of acids in the oil, and coking from all that no-load operation.

But I'd challenge you on the "years". Week sure, months maybe, but corrosion starts pretty darn quickly and even the most viscous of engine oils won't keep it off your cylinder walls, cam lobes etc for years. You need to properly pickle the engine and put dehydrator plugs in it for that.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by lestersails

Assume you mean running it any more than absolutely necessary? I always thought that I have start my motor to use the windlass, right? It can take a few mins to spool up a large amount of rode.

Another reason I like my manual windlass .

... now here's fightin' words! Forget the anchor battles, lets talk manual vs electric windlasses .

[crazyhorse]

Originally Posted by upstateny

My boat slip is opposite the fueling dock. I have to keep an eye out leaving and entering my slip for people leaving the fuel dock without looking. I pull in slowly, so its not like I just showed up a second ago.

Pulling into a marina on a creek with a 5.5 foot draft can be a problem when other motor boats think its okay to go 4 wide and push into a shallow area.

No point raising a day shape either..." hey kids, look at that crazy man pointing to a black barrel in his rigging and yelling at us.." In 2 years of anchoring in Northland we have only seen two other vessels displaying a anchor ball....as for those anchored with no lights at all in the pitch black...don't get me started!!.

[Topspin]

Originally Posted by Jamme

Empuriabrava - Marina d´Empuriabrava – Al cor de la Badia de Roses, considerada una de les més belles del món, i a només 9 km de França, iniciada la seva construcció en els anys seixanta

Wow: 235€++ per night for a slip !

[S-V SAGA]

Originally Posted by Linesledaft

I did not have anyone rush over to help me dock when visiting any marinas this past year besides the few times I asked dockhands due to wind or current. Pretty normal now. Most "cruisers" I've met cant be bothered.

Due to Covid, our marina in Rhode Island, sent out a notice discouraging helping others with docking. There was also not supposed to be any gathering on the docks either but that didn't stop the power boaters from partying (maskless) and blasting their music well past the 10 pm curfew

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I'm not sure I understand what you mean about not pointing at your anchor. You're always hanging down-wind or down current of your anchor (except in very weird wind/current mixes).

Happens to us all the time (pointing in a different direction than to where our anchor is located).

Well-protected wind-free anchorages here in BC....

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

Happens to us all the time (pointing in a different direction than to where our anchor is located).

Well-protected wind-free anchorages here in BC....

Yes, in no wind or current, but as I quoted, flightlead404 said the wind shifted, so I assume that means there's still wind.