"It is  easier to hold a boat into the wind with it on the bow."

I offer a different perspective.

A good boat handler can more easily hold his stern into the wind than the
bow. But many have not tried it. It's a paradigm shift in thinking.
The pulling force would be located more upwind with the stern to. That is,
the prop(s) are very close to the stern. Its almost like the boat is being
towed....it follows the pulling force.
With the bow into the wind, the pushing force of the prop(s) are the
farthest back. The wind is never exactly straight onto the boat. It becomes
like a knife edge and will always be pushing the bow port or starboard. Now
the helmsman is constantly working to keep the bow straight ahead where he
wants it. At slow boat speeds this requires a LOT of helm work.
When backing INTO the wind, the bow will always stay STRAIGHT ahead of you.
Any attempt of the bow to wobble to one side or another will be met with
wind that will push it back into place straight down wind.

Try it sometime up a wide fairway. You will be surprised ! Next time you are
waiting for a bridge opening on a really windy day, spin her around and back
into the wind. Practice holding STILL, then practice slowly moving upwind.

Here's an example -
My friend bought a twin engine Bayliner about 28 ft. We brought it to Cape
May to Utche's Marina and pulled into the gas dock. Wind was blowing NE
about 20 kts.
After getting gas he was moving the boat to his slip.....wind was mostly on
his bow but slightly to the stbd. As he slowly moved up the fairway he was
losing ground to the port side and sliding over closer to the docked boats.
He had been unable to control the boat sufficiently at slow speed bow into
the wind. Eventually he ended up pressed into the anchors of boat sticking
out in the slips on the port side. He then turns to me and says HERE YOU
TAKE IT ! Great, just what I needed. A pinned in position.
We got the bow up wind enough to flip her around and head back out of the
fairway. Now I needed to come back.
I turned the stern INTO THE WIND and slowly backup up the fairway with the
boat in full control. Upon reaching the slip I was able to very easily and
slowly back her right in.
Then after we got in we found out that the slip did not have sufficient
power so we had to move over one fairway to another slip. I pulled the boat
out and backed up the other fairway again....and backed right into the slip.

R.

-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: GL: Bridge etiquete ICW

My experience is that the guys jocking at the bridge with high wind on their
stern and the others with wind on the bow have b een polite enough to let
the down (stern) wind boat go first.
The birdge tenders say "You guys work it out" I usually make the suggestion
as above and most other boaters seem to think it makes sense. Especially the
Sailboats It is  easier to hold a boat into the wind with it on the bow.
Common sense takes over instead of the CFR's on the ICW. No High Wind, it
doesnt take long out of gear to figure out which way the tide is going.
We dont spend much time at Bridges we have them "ALL" loaded in the GPS and
adjust our speed (ETA) accordingly

Capt Bob Kovach

My guide:

1. In general pass on the one whistle (port to port).

2. Wind on the stern and / or current on the stern always go first. Really
   it's the vessel with the least control under the circumstances.

3. Bigger and usually deeper draft boat has right of way (law of tonnage).

4. If there is any question whatsoever, talk with the boater to come to a
   decision - wind, current and type and size of boat make a difference

5. If they don't respond to your radio hail, communicate with the bridge
   tender to see if they could raise them and make the suggestion we chat on
   the radio about who should pass through first or both simultaneously. As one
   tow captain was heard to tell another, "You ain't scared, I ain't scared,
   bring it on captain, see you on the two!"

NOTE: If you are unable to raise the other boat (this goes for any situation
and any boat), memorize these words and say them clearly. "Negative contact
with the _____(identify other boat with best description and location as
possible _____ on Channel 16. Will attempt contact on channel 09, 10 or 13,
etc. Site first the channel you contacted the bridge on and then the
standard bridge to bridge channel for your area. End by stating that you are
shifting to channel XX AND standing by on channel 16, state your boat name
again"

This is particularly important when talking with smaller vessels, especially
sailboats who usually have but one radio and it's mounted down in the cabin
or when attempting contact us senile old guys (you know who you are) who
forget to turn on one of the radios. Regardless, boats our size should have
two radios operational with one always on 16. Always keep in mind  that the
USCG has big antennas and is ever vigilant listening to channel 16? You've
made the effort, the bridge tender is also on notice. Let them know your
plans.

6. I keep my hand held load-hailer handy at the bridge and I communicate
   with them that way. Yelling at them, "Bring it on captain, bring it on. "
   while waving them through at the same time as a last resort works as well.

NOTE: If you need to pass through the bridge first for whatever reason,
again, make the contact attempts AND be sure to advise the bridge tender of
your needs. Make sure they acknowledge. Or, run through the "Negative
Contact" item with them as you do with other boats. You'll be delighted at
how fast these people will respond when you say those magic CYA words.

Best,
Bob

Bob & Kemba DeGroot
Aboard M/V Spirit Dancer, DeFever 49 CMY
MTOA # 1896; DFCruisers # 857; AGLCA # 427; Lakewood Yacht Club
www.BoaterSites.com, Cell :713-876-8787, Skype: 1-281-506-2676 or
dr.bob.degroot
www.SalesHelp.com, www.MarinaCustomerServiceTraining.com

Spirit Dancer sums up this thread real nice. some might want to print a copy, laminate
it (smile) and put it at both helm stations. Its what I do, but Spirit Dancer puts it together real good.
 
Safe cruising to All see Ya on the "One"

Capt Bob Kovach
M/Y ALLEZ! MT50 WB
MTOA 2631 AGLCA 1969
USPS CHARLESTON S.C.
EMail: my_allez@yahoo.com

From: "Bob DeGroot, DCH" bob@saleshelp.com
To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Sent: Friday, March 9, 2012 11:07 AM
Subject: Re: GL: Bridge etiquette ICW

My guide:

1. In general pass on the one whistle (port to port).

2. Wind on the stern and / or current on the stern always go first. Really
   it's the vessel with the least control under the circumstances.

3. Bigger and usually deeper draft boat has right of way (law of tonnage).

4. If there is any question whatsoever, talk with the boater to come to a
   decision - wind, current and type and size of boat make a difference

5. If they don't respond to your radio hail, communicate with the bridge
   tender to see if they could raise them and make the suggestion we chat on
   the radio about who should pass through first or both simultaneously. As one
   tow captain was heard to tell another, "You ain't scared, I ain't scared,
   bring it on captain, see you on the two!"

NOTE: If you are unable to raise the other boat (this goes for any situation
and any boat), memorize these words and say them clearly. "Negative contact
with the _____(identify other boat with best description and location as
possible _____ on Channel 16. Will attempt contact on channel 09, 10 or 13,
etc. Site first the channel you contacted the bridge on and then the
standard bridge to bridge channel for your area. End by stating that you are
shifting to channel XX AND standing by on channel 16, state your boat name
again"

This is particularly important when talking with smaller vessels, especially
sailboats who usually have but one radio and it's mounted down in the cabin
or when attempting contact us senile old guys (you know who you are) who
forget to turn on one of the radios. Regardless, boats our size should have
two radios operational with one always on 16. Always keep in mind  that the
USCG has big antennas and is ever vigilant listening to channel 16? You've
made the effort, the bridge tender is also on notice. Let them know your
plans.

6. I keep my hand held load-hailer handy at the bridge and I communicate
   with them that way. Yelling at them, "Bring it on captain, bring it on. "
   while waving them through at the same time as a last resort works as well.

NOTE: If you need to pass through the bridge first for whatever reason,
again, make the contact attempts AND be sure to advise the bridge tender of
your needs. Make sure they acknowledge. Or, run through the "Negative
Contact" item with them as you do with other boats. You'll be delighted at
how fast these people will respond when you say those magic CYA words.

Best,
Bob

Bob & Kemba DeGroot
Aboard M/V Spirit Dancer, DeFever 49 CMY
MTOA # 1896; DFCruisers # 857; AGLCA # 427; Lakewood Yacht Club
www.BoaterSites.com, Cell :713-876-8787, Skype: 1-281-506-2676 or
dr.bob.degroot
www.SalesHelp.com, www.MarinaCustomerServiceTraining.com

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