Bow or stern in?

[Sail123]

In these liberal times, we go both ways depending on which way the wind is blowing. Lol

Only one long finger, being on the end, so that depends on what is going on with the boat, washing, projects, lounging. I can rotate the 32 foot boat in the slip staying on the dock which I do as needed. Makes it very handy to work on.

Privacy: coming

Socialize: going

Backing out, stopping before I hit the fuel docks, and making a tight turn not to hit the other yachts is tricky if the wind is fighting me. I may start turning her around by hand so I have an easier launch for windy days.

Over the winter I am building a 4 foot long bowsprit to replace my bow pulpit I have now. I will then most times slip stern in as my finger would be too short to easily access the cockpit from the dock.

 

[kjretlaw]

Only back in when I know we'll need to load or unload the boat. Enjoy the view beter with the bow in.

 

[Cool_Change]

Stern in. Much easier loading etc. Took some practice but we go a few boat lengths past the slip, reverse, get some speed up for steerage and curve it in. Getting out is typically fine unless have to turn into the wind, then we keep a bowline looped the end of the finger until the stern swings around and can make headway.

 

[Tally Ho]

Last season (my first year with my Hunter 280), I wanted to back in to strip the old name off the boat. After a short sail with my wife, we headed into the marina and my slip mate, who I had barely met was getting ready to shove off. His wife was in the perch seat (with her little dog in her lap) and and he came over to grab a line for me (sailors are so helpful). I yelled that I was going to back in....he said " may be tough with this wind"....but I proceed to back her in. But then I thought I was coming in too fast and cut the throttle....and I started drifting toward the corner of his new H33....right where his wife and dog were sitting. My wife's yelling sure did not help. All I could think of was "jeez, not a great way to meet your slip mate!".

I finally decided my only option was to put her back in gear and get out of there. With my heart pounding in my chest, I told Jack I thought I would just put her in bow first and forget about the decal. Jack said "you had it, just don't back off the throttle". So I tried it again, and got her in the slip.

I have not backed her in since ;-)

Greg

 

[onecoolair]

Last season (my first year with my Hunter 280), I wanted to back in to strip the old name off the boat. After a short sail with my wife, we headed into the marina and my slip mate, who I had barely met was getting ready to shove off. His wife was in the perch seat (with her little dog in her lap) and and he came over to grab a line for me (sailors are so helpful). I yelled that I was going to back in....he said " may be tough with this wind"....but I proceed to back her in. But then I thought I was coming in too fast and cut the throttle....and I started drifting toward the corner of his new H33....right where his wife and dog were sitting. My wife's yelling sure did not help. All I could think of was "jeez, not a great way to meet your slip mate!".

I finally decided my only option was to put her back in gear and get out of there. With my heart pounding in my chest, I told Jack I thought I would just put her in bow first and forget about the decal. Jack said "you had it, just don't back off the throttle". So I tried it again, and got her in the slip.

I have not backed her in since ;-)

Greg

So your wifes a YELLER!! NOT COOL!!!!
Nobody gets yelled at on my boat....well maybe except for me,:naughty: but only on the very very rare ocassion. No body yells from the dock either. If it does happen they are promply told were to go. Anybody yelling when somebody is docking their boat does nobody any good.....Pick a quite time,early morning, lite wind etc. Go down to your boat by yourself during the week and practice. If it makes you feel more comfortable maybe arrange to have one of your more quite experiened boat nieghbors to quitely stand there on the dock. while you go in and out of the slip. Even hang all your fenders out if you wish. Just becarefull sometime fenders hanging over the side can create problems of there own by getting hung up, so be mind full of that. I have single handed a lot. For the last 10 years its been on my H356. I have done a lot of boat deliveries and have found that even a 50'+ foot boat is just as easy to dock as my old m-26 was in fact maybe easier.
Infact the only time when I may get into trouble is if I have crew onboard or someone on the dock does something they are told not to do by tugging on a line or pushing or pulling on the boat and upseting the balance of the boat. As I preform a manuver....
You can do it you just need more confindence and that comes with practice. Then take charge..Remember you are the Captain !

 

[Stu Jackson]

I agree. Most of the time our docking gets screwed up is when someone on the dock wants to "help."

But, you may be the Captain on your boat, but you still can't stop rubberneckers pushing on your stanchions! I wish those guys were around when it came time to rebed them.

 

[Mikem]

Stern first. Access to the boat, shore power connection is right there, shore water connection is there, and our stateroom is forward so we get the privacy. Also, backing in, if single handed, I can leave the transmission in reverse and step off the stern as it is gently pushed against the dock (against the stern fender actually) to tie up. Getting underway can work that way too...existing conditions permitting.