T head slips questions

[Jim]

Anyone have any likes or dislike with T head slips?

Thanks Jim

 

[Mike B]

Easy in, easy out

Jim, while we've only tied up as transients at T heads they're usually easy to get in and out of. The only problem I would foresee is you're hanging out there giving every boat passing by a chance to tag you.
Mike

 

[Brian D]

Are you referring to...

End ties? At least that what I think you are talking about. I personally would stay away from them. Like Mike says, to many chances of getting tagged and no one reporting it.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

T-Heads

In addition to getting tagged, there is usually more wave action and rocking and rolling being closer to the sea wall . There is also the fact that you only can tie your boat up from one side. This makes it a not so desirable place in rough weather - lots of dock bumping. And finally, a whole lot more boat traffic passing by all of the time.
Some marinas dont like to rent T-heads for the above reasons. My current marina will not.
Big Advantage: Easy in and out. One of the quietest places in the evening. Generally no foot traffic or boat traffic. At night it's like having your own little world.
Have friends that were on a T-head in Biloxi. Just about all of the above was from their personal experiences. They will never get a T-head again.

Tony B

 

[Ross]

We have floating piers and a fixed break water

We get enough wave action even with the break water. Farther up the river there are a couple of "T" heads but they are clearly marked for no mooring.

 

[Jim]

The Marina I am think of is the last one on the River

not much boat traffic or wave action. The river is just a creek at this point. There is a bridge with 3 ft of clearance, than a dam and past the dam is a fresh water series of lakes.

 

[Joe]

in our area the end ties are at a premium...

.... because they can accommodate the very long, there's a 60 footer at the end of my dock... and they can accommodate the very wide, as in catamarans.

 

[Mike B]

Fenders and keepers

Jim, consider if using fenders and keepers would help you sit safely against the T head. Some marinas allow you to install additional fenders on the dock or pier. Another thing that I do along with most of my slip neighbors is to use a keeper. It's nothing more than a small block attached to the dock with a weight tied to one and and the other tied to your boat. Depending on the weight of your boat anything from a 5 to 10 lb weight will, in normal conditions, keep the boat snugly against the dock. I'd also keep in mind what strentgh and where the prevailing winds come from in relationship to the T head. If they typically blow hard into the T head then you may want to look at another slip.
Good luck
Mike