Docking in a Left Over Tsunami
12 March 2011 | Pardise Village Marina
Fred
Docking in the Current
Well we had a restful night at anchor and listened to the chatter on the net. We woke up in the morning and boats were heading back to Paradise Village. We upped anchor and headed back as well. There were reports from the harbor master that the current was still running in and out at 6+ knots so to be careful and they would try to have people on the dock to help you in. We followed a couple of boats in that said the depth was ok and the current wasn’t bad. When we went in there was a 2 knot or so current coming in so we were moving faster than I wanted. We called ahead to our dock neighbor and some of our crew to help us in. I got to the dock and went into my right hand 180 turn and the current was running pretty good. As I headed in we got a bow line ashore but the stern went off so I backed out to try again. For awhile I was afraid I was going to be swept down current and the only thing to stop me was a bridge. Some powerful maneuvering and I was able to back into the channel that was at right angles to my channel and make another run for it this time heading more upstream to let the current push me into alignment with the slip. We got bow and stern lines to folks on the dock and got tied up with no problem. Penny and I then went to Starbucks to get a coffee to calm our nerves.
Now all we have to do is leave the dock for the race and return. Hopefully this current will dissipate during the day. It seems to turn every 10 minutes or so and is very strange. My dock neighbor is going to let us come in first so I have the whole slip to maneuver in. Thankfully it is very wide and he has a bow thruster to help him. I think I will let him go out first.
Last race today and we are in second place so we need to beat two boats, Adios and Valerie K, both Columbia 43’s. We think we can do it but time will tell.
Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion!