Bow or Stern when docked at a marina?

[pumpkinpie]

We've docked our sailboat at a marina with the bow facing in for more privacy. I was told, and not sure if this is true or not, prior to the storm if the storm comes we might want to turn the boat around with the bow facing out. Will this make any difference or have any positive or negative impact?

 

[kappykaplan]

I go bow out because it’s easier to board and disembark. Don’t believe it makes any difference in a storm.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I've never heard that Stern in is better in a storm, and I can't think of any reason why that would be. We also go in bow first to have a better view. In our marina most other boats go Stern first to be easier to get on and off the finger piers.

 

[ggrizzard]

Kinda depends on depth at sea wall/dock, direction of wind during the storm (the wind may shift 180 degrees mid point of passing your location), size and type and cost of boat(s) berthed on either side of you, floating or fixed dock, etc, etc.

 

[sailme88]

I prefer to back in. Once you have water across the rudder you can have steerage. Upon departure, even at slow start up speed you have control. During the night the wake of transiting vessels is greeted by a bow instead of a transom.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Utter nonsense.

What direction is the wind coming from?

C'mon...

 

[ggrizzard]

I think I mentioned wind Stu.

 

[dlochner]

There is no standard. In some slips, backing in puts the rudder at risk. In other slips, stern in is better for weather, i.e., the prevailing winds will go across the bow. In other slips with short fingers backing in makes it easier to get aboard.

So the answer as in so many things is, "It all depends..."

 

[Mark Maulden]

Where do you get on or off the boat? Side or walk thru transom?

 

[quadrille38]

Depends on wind and wave direction
The Hunter 38 has a tendency for stern slap when wave come from behind. In the aft cabin in can make sleeping difficult with the slapping becoming a serious stern thump.

In a few marinas while traveling we were open to the stern and the slap was so bad I had to sleep in the V berth.
There are products made that are designed to reduce stern slap. There are threads on them in the archives. Just use the search term stern slap.

We generally go bow in for privacy reasons. Although many reasons bow in is necessary to keep the rudder in water deep enough so it doesn’t hit.

 

[JamesG161]

Stern in.
Why?
1) shorter power cords
2) We can see and hear friends when we are below. When in cockpit for cocktails too
3) Boarding ladder on finger pier match ours.
4) Squalls are no problem, Hurricanes are a different story.
____
Transient Marina berths are a different story. We prepare for both methods.
Jim...

 

[Daveinet]

I'd say you've been given a stern warning to bow out.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I'll add one more consideration - prop walk. With a right hand prop the Stern will want to go to port in reverse. If your slip is on the starboard side of your fairway as you approach that favors bow in. That way upon arrival you can use a shot of reverse to spin the boat into the slip, and upon departure the Stern will try to go to port, lining you up to point out the fairway. Slip on the left and it may favor Stern in, as you can go past the slip and then prop walk the stern in.

 

[Sailavie1]

There are products made that are designed to reduce stern slap

I’m sorry, but that just sounds wrong.

 

[Boomer54]

Stern in. Makes boarding easier and enjoying neighbors easier. I don’t believe a storm makes any difference, especially if you are tied up well.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I much prefer bow in- keeps any dockwalkers from peering into the cabin. As to the storm idea, we had 14 boats sink in my marina due to hurricane Harvey. Didn't make a bit of difference how they were docked. The boats on the upwind side of my dock all sank- 7 of them. NONE on the down wind side. Several on the up wind side that didn't sink had sterns chewed up badly from banging the dock

I moor bow in

 

[nightowle]

A gale or hurricane may not matter which way you're facing. But take it from a sailor in rainy Seattle, having the bow face the weather is preferrable (if practicable). it can help to keep the rain from lashing against your drop boards and pushing up under your spray hood if you have one. When the weather is nice, just flip it around. It's good practice, too.

 

[DougM]

. In our marina most other boats go Stern first to be easier to get on and off the finger piers.

Off the subject a bit, but why are the finger piers so darned short in Chesapeake baynarea marinas. I have never seen that in marinas around lake michigan. Marina docks are at least as long as the boats

 

[Davidasailor26]

Off the subject a bit, but why are the finger piers so darned short in Chesapeake baynarea marinas. I have never seen that in marinas around lake michigan. Marina docks are at least as long as the boats

Around here it seems to vary by Marina, although most marinas have finger piers half slip or shorter. Having said that our marina in New Jersey also had quarter length finger piers and every sailboat went bow in there.

 

[NYSail]

bow in always....... privacy is one thing but also I can always choose when to leave but not when coming home. So I (wife) backs out into a big area easily...... and if it starts to storm when out, bow in is a no brainer.

all a matter of what one likes