Would there be a perceptable difference if side curtains on bridge
canvas were unzipped and allowed to flap freely when docking or
undocking in crosswind?  I understand that wind velocity, vessel profile
dimensions are variables but am looking for a sense of listees opinions.

Frank wrote:  <<The most effective tool in docking in the wind is to be aware of the direction>>

I'm sure everybody does this, but for those who don't, I always check
the windex at the top of a sailboat whenever I dock to see what the wind
is doing.  This has become such a habit over the years that I find
myself with binoculars in hand looking at sailboat masts even on the
calmest days in summer.

Cheers,

Gregg McKay
37 Tolly

Just went thru a shaft alignment process today that I thought some might be
interested in.  We set out to align the shafts on my 46' Alaskan which has
twin 120 Lehmans.  After grunting our way thru removing the fibre shaft
coupler (used to insulate shaft from engine and protect against breakage) we
used a feeler guage to compare spacing between the end of the shaft and end
of the trany.

The way you determine whether a problem has to do with bent shaft or motor
out of alignment is to test to see if the uneven space moves when the shaft
is rotated.  If the space moves, it suggests a bent shaft.  If the space
remains in the same place, the engine needs alignement.

Luckily for me, the space didn't move and by dropping the front of the
engine, along with a slight raise on the rear port side engine mount, the
spacing became even all the way around.  Ta daaa!
Job done.

We started this job after noticing a slight 'rumble' every once in a while
when underway and I am hopeful this alignment will elliminate it.

Sorry for the poor explanation.  I'll blame it on the fruit of the vine.

Cheers ... Shaun
aboard Rana III
lying Nanaimo Harbour