There are those individuals who insist on dazzling us with their superior boating and navigational skills. You know them, we all do. Those masters of modern boating who believe that the very laws of physics bow to their every action while cruising our local waterways. This particular writing is in honor of just such an individual.

Mooring your boat at the marina presents many potential photographic moments. High winds, mechanical problems, or bad planning can cause all sorts of problems. Note that the first time you have a problem with mooring your boat; someone will appear out of nowhere to take your picture. It will probably be me!

I have a friend that is a commercial fisherman. Many fishermen love to make dramatic arrivals at the dock, demonstrating their superior skill and seamanship. My friend performed just such a classic fisherman's arrival. This involved approaching the slip at a high rate of speed, keeping the engine speed up and slamming the transmission into reverse to stop the vessel perfectly in its slip. Approaching the dock, my friend was looking good, until the shift lever snapped off in his hand from his rapid pulling action. His sixty-foot commercial fishing vessel plowed half way through the new dock causing $30,000 in damage. The erstwhile skipper now has his slip personalized with a marker that reads Captain Crunch.

So in the event you feel like you want to impress us with your most impeccable navigational skills, I only ask one thing. Call me a day ahead so I can have my boat located far from you, and my camera in hand and ready to click!

Happy mooring!