steveandtina
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2010
- Messages
- 96
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-29 Classic
- Vessel Name
- otter
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF MY FELLOW TUGNUTS. SO HEAR IS THE STORY.[ DON'T TRY TO DO THIS YOURSELF,,I -- AM A PROFESSIONAL] IDIOT PERHAPS? :? DROVE THE [BEE] DOWN TO THE LAUNCH RAMP ON THE SAC RIVER WITH MY RANCH HAND, JAMIE[PRONOUNCED HYMIE] WITH THE INTENTION OF LAUNCHING THE BOAT AND TAKING IT UP RIVER 2 MILES TO THE SAC CITY PUBLIC DOCKS WHERE TINA WOULD JOIN ME NEW YEARS EVE FOR A SPECTACTULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY OVER THE RIVER... ONE AT NINE [FOR US OLD FARTS] AND ONE AT 12 FOR EVERONE ELSE..---- I DIGRESS--- DID I MENTION THE RIVER WAS RUNNING AT FIVE AS IN FIIIIIIVE KNOTS 😱 JAMIE WAS TO TAKE THE TRUCK AND MEET ME AT THE DOCKS TO ASSIST IN TYING UP. GUESS WHAT? NO PARKING SPACES!!! IN A STATE OF MIND THAT AT IT"S BEST COULD BE DESCRIBED AS NAIVE, AND AT ITS WORST DOWN RIGHT DELUSIONAL, I DECIDED TO DOCK THE BOAT MYSELF AND TOLD JAMIE TO TAKE THE TRUCK HOME TO TINA. AS I APPROACHED THE DOCK FOR A STARBOARD TIE THERE WAS ONE LAST SPACE WITH HOOKUPS AT THE END ALMOST DIRECTLY UNDER THE TOWER BRIDGE. [NO FRIENDLY HANDS TO THROW A LINE TO,,, I THINK THEY WERE ALL IN THE MANY BARS ALONG THE RIVER] I EASED THE BEE TO EDGE OF THE DOCK WHERE THE CURRENT COMING OFF THE BRIDGE PYLON GENTLY NUDGED MY STEARN INTO THE DOCK AS I HAULED ASS OUT OF THE COCKPIT TO SECURE HER. OF COURSE THE NEAREST LINE WAS A STEARN AND I IMMEDIATELY TIE OFF TO THE DOCKCLEAT AND STARTED TO MAKE MY WAY FORWARD USING THE GRABRAILS ON THE CABIN. JUST AS I REACHED THE GALLEY WIND THE BEE AND THE RIVER AND THE CONFUSED CURRENTS DECIDED THAT SHE REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO MOOR AT THAT PARTICULAR SIDE TIE. AS I STARTED TO LOSE THE BOY OUT INTO THE RIVER, IT DAWNED ON ME THAT THERE WAS NO :shock: :shock: WAY I COULD HOLD HER TO THE DOCK. AS I MADE THE JUMP BACK INTO THE COCKPIT SHE SWUNG 90 DEGREES TO THE DOCK WHERE THE STEARN LINE WAS STILL FIRMLY ATTACHED. AS THE SWIM STEP WAS PULLED UNDER THE DOCK OUR BOAT TOOK ON A PROFOUND LIST TO STARBOARD UNTILL AT LAST MY FIVE 8TH INCH MOORING LINE SNAPPED LIKE KITE STRING AND WE WERE OFF THE RACES FLOATING SIDEWAYS TOWARD THE BRIDGE PYLONS TO STARBOARD AND A REALLY NICE YACHT TO PORT. THE FACT THAT MY ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING IS THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED MY ASS..WHEEL HARD TO PORT, BOW AND STEARN THRUSTERS SCREAMING, AND A BUTTLOAD OF REVERSE GOT ME OUT OF A VERY EMBARASSING SITUATION.. LESSONS LEARNED?? NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF AN ANGRY RIVER DURING WINTER RUNOFF, AND NEVER TIE THE STEARN OFF FIRST WHEN DOCKING UPSTEAM. THE SWIMSTEP SUFFERED NO DAMAGE ... AND WE EVENTUALLY WITNESSED A SPECTATULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING EVENING. SO ANYHOW FELLOW TUGNUTTER;; I HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING ABOUT MY TALE AS MUCH AS I DID TELLING IT. CHARLES,, I HOPE MY DICTION, GRAMMER, SPELLING. AND PUNCTUATION MEETS WITH YOUR APPROVAL SINCERLY, STEVE FROM INSIDE THE TOASTY LITTLE FIBERGLASS COCOON KNOWN AS THE CHRISTINA BEE