First time out and I hit the damn dock

[Jmiller912]

Maiden voyage today. it was very windy, steering sucks and it happened. I hit the dock. Scratched my ar240 sticker. 3 long scratches that I can now see nice blue paint thru Instead of the white sticker. Anyone have any luck finding anything the can help fix the missing white from the scratches. I tried tears but that didn’t work.

 

[jstat17]

How about white auto pinstriping to patch the scuffs/scrapes on the decal? Worst case I just bought decals from Yamaha sports plaza for my 17 240. Wasnt to bad. Best of luck.

 

[Seadeals]

I am very sorry you experienced this on your maiden voyage. Truthfully, that is when it is most likely to happen. Steering doesn’t suck, the steering and thrust positions actually allow you to do a lot of things other boats can’t; but it definitely takes practice. I was thinking white pinstripe from the auto store to cover it as well. Get more practice in wind before buying the whole sticker.

 

[Neutron]

Jetboaters.net has nice stickers for sale in the swag section.....

 

[Brad460]

The Yamaha decals are paper thin/cheap and scratch easy....Nice part they are cheap to buy. If it’s bad enough just buy new decals and change out when your ready to sell it.

 

[sunbyrned]

Sorry this happened. You will get better at docking and the various techniques involved when docking in the wind or strong currents. Two things come to mind for unsolicited advice. One, the Bimini top can work against you when trying to control the boat in the wind, and 2) if you have a choice of docking on the outer rails of a dock or going directly into a slip, the outside rail is much more user friendly, at least it is for me. Sometimes the wind and current can just push you right up against it instead of having to navigate speed and control into a slip.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Maiden voyage today. it was very windy, steering sucks and it happened. I hit the dock. Scratched my ar240 sticker. 3 long scratches that I can now see nice blue paint thru Instead of the white sticker. Anyone have any luck finding anything the can help fix the missing white from the scratches. I tried tears but that didn’t work.

I did something similar last year, but not on my first trip out. Look at the bright side, you got your first/scratch ding out the way. It should all be smooth sailing from here on out You are going to get dings, scratches, etc. At least most people are. Especially on Windy days. I was out today too on LSC and it was rough.

It could of been a lot worse.

Also, it is just as painful when the Admiral does it, but I can't yell at her..........

 

[Crob83]

Hang in there I was bad at first, only 1 season later and I think I'm pretty damn good.

 

[Yambers]

Rubbin is racin.

Wait, wrong sport/hobby.. But it isnt going to affect any of the fun you will have the rest of the year. Dont sweat it. Just a sticker. No real damage. Stickers come off and there is a boat under them. Lol

 

[mark_m]

Rubbin is racin.

Wait, wrong sport/hobby.. But it isnt going to affect any of the fun you will have the rest of the year. Dont sweat it. Just a sticker. No real damage. Stickers come off and there is a boat under them. Lol

Get more comfortable and get some reps under your belt, then pull those stickers off!

 

[Yambers]

Get more comfortable and get some reps under your belt, then pull those stickers off!

A clean sticker free boat is a classy boat. Stand the test of time.

 

[Ibeflyinhigh]

Maiden voyage today. it was very windy, steering sucks and it happened. I hit the dock. Scratched my ar240 sticker. 3 long scratches that I can now see nice blue paint thru Instead of the white sticker. Anyone have any luck finding anything the can help fix the missing white from the scratches. I tried tears but that didn’t work.

Avoid going out on very windy days. I had to make three passes at the dock to pick my passanger up the wind was so bad. I wont get caught out there again. I dont need dock rash or even worse. I would just replace the decals.

 

[Julian]

Practice docking in the middle of the lake with a marker, fender, or anything you can hit without damaging your boat. The more time you spend at it, the better and more comfortable you'll be.

 

[Betik]

Thought it sucks and particularly annoying on a new boat, our boats are not meant to be collectors items.
My boat still has scars from the 2017 Bimini crossing and she wears them with pride.

 

[drewkaree]

Do they make White-Out in quart containers?

 

[Epsmith19]

I say just remove the entire thing. I think the boats look better w the clean look anyway

 

[Cleveland Steamer]

Photos of the scratches?

 

[the MfM]

Will this docking attempt be showing up on YouTube?

 

[Jmiller912]

So visible cause of the white. I appreciate the comments. Could be on YouTube hard to watch a grown man cry. Lol

 

[fatboyroy]

I wouldn't worry about that battle scar for now, get some more time on the water or install Thrust Vector/Cobra steering if you don't have it yet, that'll help you somehow on windy condition or if theres a lot of boat traffic.