Why back your boat through the harbor?

[Steve]

My friends and I were sitting in our Marina getting ready to watch the fireworks. A number of boaters were taking their boats out of the marina to get a better view of the action, but several were backing their boats down the rows. When asked I couldn't give an answer..."Is there some reason so many boaters back their sailboats through the harbor?" Is it to look impressive? Does the boat handle better? Can someone provide some insight?

 

[Mike Turner]

Wind?

I've had to back out a couple of times when the wind caught me coming out of the slip and pointed me into land -- insufficient space in the fairway to turn the boat around given wind conditions. Maybe that's the explanation?Mike TurnerC30 AmityLong Beach, CA

 

[mg]

easier

i have a finger pier on the port side of the boat and i need to head to starboard, i cant turn tight enough to clear the boats astern . therefore i back out down the middle until i have room to come about. on the other hand coming in is easier as i can "round the corner " into the slip and with a wag of the tiller sliding the boat in with out a quick sharp corner. seems easier to me . plus i hate having that few seconds of lost steerage the boat loses way in reverse and begins to gain way in forward.i prefer to do that in a less crowded area.