Only cowboys use ropes; it’s a line on a boat

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

OK, OK, you can stop e-mailing me about the blunder in my last

column. It was like sharks circling a sea lion, just waiting to take

bite at the first sign of weakness.

I remember words of wisdom when I started my TV show that most of

the viewer responses that I’d receive would be negative. I have even

heard that most contractors hate Bob Villa.

However, in my case, the responses are warranted, yet not valid. I

am referring to the sentence printed May 13 that said: “Then I

explain that the ocean is a little deeper than the amount of anchor

rope we have in our anchor locker.”

I was flooded with e-mails about my use of the word “rope” aboard

a vessel.

However, my original copy was: “Then I explain that the ocean is a

little deeper than the amount of anchor rode we have in our anchor

locker.”

Notice that I wrote, “rode” versus “rope.”

Now, do not blame my editors, as I should have clued my editors of

the nomenclature for this line -- notice “line” not “rope.” Any

editor would have looked at “anchor rode” and concluded that it was a

typo, that the D should be a P, as in rope.

Trust me, my editors have saved me more times than I can count

without removing my topsides, so I will stick behind my editors 100%

for their correction. Who would know “rode” is actually a nautical

term for a line that is made from a rope, a cable or a chain?

Actually, this is a very interesting topic: the nomenclature of

nautical stuff and the pronunciation of the nautical words. First,

who can tell me if there are any ropes aboard a boat? What is a line

versus a rope? What is a painter?

If you listen around the harbor then you will hear the leeward

side is pronounced “lou-ward,” starboard is pronounced “star-bird,”

and the bathroom on a boat is called the “head.”

Us professional big-boat captains have our own slang among our

peers, like our own delivery captain’s language.

An example that we say to each other is that we drive the

mega-yacht, versus skipper or pilot, in casual conversation. We will

say to each other that we can stick that boat in the hole, when

referring to docking a mega-yacht into a slip.

Now, it is not an easy task to put a 100-foot yacht into a slip,

as you have to keep this boat perfectly straight for 100 feet at a

slow speed with only a foot or two clearance on each side. Not only

that, the constant effects from the wind, current and the boat’s

momentum must be calculated into your maneuvering plans.

Just think of an 18-foot dinghy slapping a dock compared to a

100-foot yacht slapping the dock -- ouch. So, please give the larger

vessels courtesy on the water, especially when they’re docking or

leaving the slip.

The tip of the week is for everyone to get involved in the

Marinapark issue, whether you’re a Newport resident or not. Here is a

decision that will decide what boating access there will be to a

public resource -- in this case, Newport Harbor. That area is perfect

for a marina and launch ramp for the city-owned property and can

provide harbor access at a low cost.

If you are in San Diego County this weekend, I will be at two

events you can attend, and each is free. On Saturday, we will be

broadcasting live from the San Vicente Reservoir, from noon to 1

p.m., in conjunction with National Safe Boating Week. Then on Sunday,

I will be the master of ceremonies for the San Diego Beach and

Boating Fair in Mission Bay.

Two great family events, and I cannot wait to see Mr. Safe T. Seal

with his trainer. You can get more information at https://

www.sandiego.gov/water and https://www.missionbayaquatic center.com,

respectively.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation, “Capt.

Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show.” It airs every Saturday from

noon to 1 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170). You can join me, Chandler Bell and

Eric Hovland by calling the listener line at (888) 344-1170.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to mike@boathousetv.com or visit https://www.boathousetv.com.