ALMOST LOST MY BOAT TO FIRE

[avazquez]

The dock space on the right is where my boat would have burned. A friend and sailor happened to be there and as soon as the powerboat began to burn jumped in my boat and motored away from the fire. As he pulled out of the dock the flames came out of the power boat. It was THAT CLOSE.

[Zanshin]

Congratulations on being LUCKY and having conscientious friends!

[S/V Alchemy]

You buy the first round for that guy for the rest of his life. I've got friends, but a friend who is quick-thinking, brave and capable...and fast...that's a pearl beyond price.


Out of curiosity, do you keep your keys in the cockpit, and what set off the powerboat?

[jarturo]

avazquez, I am glad your boat is ok, this is probably my first post here, but anyways I am the kid that is always with Gunther in SeaLovers. When I heard and saw the picture, everything seemed so familiar I called him up quick. I heard his boat is black of ash and yours was moved. Im happy to see your boat i still impeccable. Its crazy how one moment everything is fine, one leaves and things like this happen, so close.

Regards,
Jorge

[zeehag]

gload you were fortunate to have a concerned neighbor help you!! excellent ... fantastic... keep up the good work. scary thought and adrenaliune rush gone--now, slug some rum and enjoy living..whew...

[Ocean Girl]

Wow, such a bummer to see the boats on fire. Your friend was quick thinking, thank God he was at the marina.

I was working on a dock when a fire broke out aboard an old powerboat, I didn't even try to look for boat keys, I just untied and shoved the nearby boats away. It wasn't the ideal way, as it made for some confusion having free boats floating in a very crowded marina but it was the best I could think of. The fire was fast moving, crazy fast. The power boat that burned to the waterline was a liveaboard, so sad to see the kids get off the school bus to see their home burning up :-(.

Anyways, so glad your boat is safe.

[avazquez]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

You buy the first round for that guy for the rest of his life. I've got friends, but a friend who is quick-thinking, brave and capable...and fast...that's a pearl beyond price.


Out of curiosity, do you keep your keys in the cockpit, and what set off the powerboat?

Yeah he got my boat out just in time. Not a scratch. He moved it to the a marina accross the channel. Very very thankful.

The keys to any boat should be easy to reach, available and the engine should always be easy to start. If it wasn't for that my boat would have burned down.

I think by removing my boat which by the way was down wind, indirectly he saved the rest of the boats and the docks.

[ssanzone]

Originally Posted by avazquez

The keys to any boat should be easy to reach, available and the engine should always be easy to start. If it wasn't for that my boat would have burned down.

i just dont agree with this... but at least i know where i can get a free boat.


dont you keep your ball value closed when not on board?

[avazquez]

Originally Posted by ssanzone

i just dont agree with this... but at least i know where i can get a free boat.


dont you keep your ball value closed when not on board?

Not even funny. If you are paranoid of your boat being stolen, hide the keys well but in a place that is easy to reach in case of emergency. Let your trusted neighbours in the marina know where it is. To the second question: you could leave the ball valve closed and the engine will overheat but still the boat would be saved.

[ssanzone]

i have 3 words; Bah, Bah and BAH

you may put them in any order you think they make sense!

while neighbors are great and we certainly look after each others' boats the most secure marina is a pathetic example of a protected environment.

do me a favor and leave the key in the ignition for me... i would hate to waste the 90 seconds it would take to find it wherever you have it hidden.

to each his own and all that.

least, in this case, it saved your boat.

-s

[Ocean Girl]

Uh, s, maybe start a separate thread about this, it seems an important topic to you.

[markpierce]

One wonders how soon they can respond.

[roverhi]

I do agree with having easy access to the boat. It's the tweakers and addicts who are making life way too dangerous and expensive for the rest of us. Fortunately, Alameda is a pretty safe place to keep a boat with enough live aboards and regular boat users to look after what's happening in their marina and take preventive action. The moat between there and Oakland might also have something to do with it.

Had my boat in Alameda for six years with me being a very long distance owner and never a problem with theft. At least there are some places in the Bay Area where things are normal because it certainly can't be said for the City. Quit going across the bridge after having my car broken into three times in a row there.

[avazquez]

Originally Posted by ssanzone

i have 3 words; Bah, Bah and BAH

you may put them in any order you think they make sense!

while neighbors are great and we certainly look after each others' boats the most secure marina is a pathetic example of a protected environment.


to each his own and all that.

least, in this case, it saved your boat.

-s

Easy! No need for that!

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by ssanzone

i just dont agree with this... but at least i know where i can get a free boat.


dont you keep your ball value closed when not on board?

Do you have any idea how easy it is to hot wire a boat? 15 seconds, tops! Or any idea how simple to cut a lock from a hatch? The only thing that stops most thefts, I would imagine, is the quality of the boat. Of course how smart is it to steal a boat that can motor at a blazing 6 knots?