On Aug 13, 4:14 pm, "Roger Long" wrote:
"Joe" wrote the following stuff that I replied to
while waiting for a call back from Ms. Manners
Yes it is, but why compound the problem with a bad attitude. Perhaps
he mistakenly thought you were about to scratch your gel coat and
wanted to be your hero.
Depends on your tone in declining Roger.
Boy, I'm glad I don't have to deal with you except in a newsgroup where I
can decide when I feel like a ****ing contest
I'm sorry you see it as a ****ing contest Roger.
Why would you jump to the bad attitude conclusions? There must have been
dozens of times this summer that I've called out the same thing and the
would be helper has smiled, waved, and gone gratefully back to their beer.
It was the other fellow who was behaving differently this time.
Yes, but his intentions were good, and he left with a grudge.
Many on the dock now know I like the satisfaction and practice of doing it
(blah blah blah).
Well seems like one BFF did not know it.
Most equipment I have aboard that starts with the word "life" has to
be the best maintained equipment aboard my vessel. If I have any
question as to its sea-worthyness I stop everything else and focus on
getting that right. Half assed is not good enough.
And Larry , who also jumped to the conclusion that the lifelines (wires
replaced this year) must be junk because I don't want people heaving on
them:
Geeze Roger I could care less if people lean, heave or even jump off
the life rails, after all they have the strengthto keep a man from
being washed over if he's thrown into them. I expect that type of
abuse...but I do have a steel hull and SS hand rails.
Another broad conclusion leap. The stanchions are bolted through 3/4 inch
of fiberglass with aluminum backing plates. One is slightly bent so I know
they'll give before they come out of the deck. Part of maintaining any
safety critical structure with the tough engineering geometry of a lifeline
stanchion is not subjecting it unnecessary strains.
You could wrap it in pillows too...Then surely it will last as long
as designed...huh?
I'd like to put larger
backing blocks under them someday, not because I have any worry about their
failing to keep a person aboard, but because I won't have to worry about
dockside helpers and other such things. This is being typed by a designer
of boats, sailboat rigs (up to a 170 foot full rigged ship), and other
marine structures so I slightly resent the implication that I'm sailing
around willing to scatter children and friends randomly across the waters of
the world because I don't understand my stanchion base
Resent it all you want Roger. This is being typed by a USMM who got
his 1600 ton freight and towing masters any oceans at 24 years old. I
have well over 700,000 miles at sea with crews of 2 to 14.
And 170 fter is barely a ship..more of a boat IMO..hel my first boat
over 300 tons was a 220 fter. As a captain who has in times worked for
companies that run crap till it falls apart... I've learned that the
best way to address a weakness is go ahead and destroy it so it has to
be fixed right. If the company or some people have thier way they
would put it off forever....or until someone gets killed or hurt real
bad. I've even dropped a dime to the USCG to report myself.
BTW you are the one who cast doubt into the ability of your lifeline
stancions by having so much grief from a dockflys attempted
assistance. I guess your a lucky fellow..if I had a boat with weak
stancions I'm sure my lovely wife, or some kids would surely find the
fastest way to push them past thier limits.
I'm not joking. You're the Captain and should instruct your crew on
everything you might encounter while docking. I always have a meeting
with new crew and tell each one what I expect (blah blah)
Do you have kids? If I subjected them to a lecture like that before every
short daysail, they would sail with me even less than the do now.
Lecture? Sheeze...... That's a poem Roger . You could read it to them
anytime, better yet just print them a copy. With your engineering
focused mind I'm sure the meaning would be lost in your translation.
That's the problem with you engineer's you have no understanding of
anything you can not put into an equation. If it's not and math
problem, it's a lecture.
I was hoping you would take a hint from the part that says:
" If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too, "
Seems the dock fly who had to butt into your perfect docking
exibition doubted your ability...but you did not make allowances for
his doubting too.
As far as training crew I'd say something like " I'd like you to put
that line on the cleat at the front of the slip stbd side and leave 5
ft of slack and tie it off. Then Ill back down and he can drop his
line on the cleat at the stern as we float in using the boats
wheelwalk to stop and align us pefectly..whtch all the drunks awe in
amazement at our ability to land in style...oh and BTW..If one of the
dockflys trys to stagger over and insist's on helping show him where
to put the line and thank him.
Your
comments make sense for a large vessel starting a cruise. The fact is, I
don't need ANY help or participation in handling this boat.
It makes since on any boat any size boat to discuss what you expect
people to do when you dock or leave...even if it's sit there and do
not move.
I do not need ANY help docking my boat Roger... single handed and
she's a 42 fter. When I come in alone and people see me they all run
to help..and I do not get upset if they get in the way, **** I almost
expect it. And when I have guest aboard I try to find something for
all of them to do.
Any
participation in things like docking and sail handling is strictly for the
guests enjoyment.
Exactly..and if they know how they can help and be crew they enjoy it
more.
Fun sparring with you but I've got to do something more productive.
Your sparring is quite weak Roger, and I feel I'm fencing in vain,that
you may be set in your ways.
Hmm, Ms. Manners never called back. I'll have to send her an email.
Charlies wife?
Joe
--
Roger Long