Preference for tying up

[Kevin Henderson]

I'm getting ready to play "Musical Chairs" at the marina with my slip assignment.  I have waited patiently to get a very desirable upwind slip and a longer finger pier.  Since I typically dock "bow in", my finger pier will be to my starboard side.  I have always prefered to tie up to the Port Side, largely because it makes it easier to run my shorepower cable.  Then again... boarding on the starboard side is bit less encumbered by the power ouitlet. So I'm a bit curious.. What is everyones preferences if you have any?  Feel free to offer the reason why you prefer one over another. 

[Jack Hutteball]

It depends which way the prevailing wind blows in your marina.  I prefer to come into my slip bow first so that the prevailing wind is blowing me toward the finger pier, not away from it.  Easier to throw a loop over an end dock cleat from a line connected to the midship cleat on the boat and simply step off.

Jack

[Dave Spencer]

I certainly agree that it is highly dependent on the marina and prevailing winds but all else being equal, I prefer bow in, port side tie since the prop walk will pull the stern into the dock when I put her in reverse gear to stop.  Unfortunately, I have a stbd side tie at our marina now which I chose to keep the boat off the dock during period strong nor'easters.  I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for a slip that will give me both a port side tie and protection from the nor'easters.

[scotty]

I perfer to tie to the port side.  This preference could be mitigated by current, wind or obstructions, etc.  With the typical prop walk, I give it a burst in reverse and the stern gently moves to port, right onto the dock.  Like gentlemen and ladies we step, never jump, onto the dock.    

[Clay Greene]

Another important consideration is which way you will need to back (assuming you are docked bow in) in order to get down the channel to your intended destination.  On our dock, we have to back to the south in order to get the bow pointed to the north and out to the bay.  That makes it far preferable to be on the side of the dock in which you are backing to port because the prop walk makes it far easier to turn.  We also can get a considerable current from the north in a north wind so that makes backing to port all the more of an advantage. 

[Fred Koehlmann]

Agreed, depends on the marina layout and the prevailing winds (and/or currents if any). We like the port side, bow in. The prevailing winds keep the boat off the dock and not always rubbing on the bumpers. The prop pulls the stern to port when reversing as we come in. With the stern out, the cockpit is more private from passing pedestrians. All personal preferences.

Cheers, Fred.

[Ken Juul]

Home dock is port side bow in.  Spring lines set up.  Strange dock, prop walk helps bring the stern in.  Over the last 1300 miles, strange docks are more about availability than desire.  Wind and current can cause havoc and several touch and goes before a final tie up.  If choosing a new home slip.....it is more about convenience than side.  Want to be close to the pool and showers.

[mregan]

I prefer Port side bow in only because that is how I've been for the last few years so I'm more comfortable with it.  Although I always more concerned backing out of the slip.  Hasn't happened yet but each time I back out I'm afraid the bow is going to swing into the boat on my starboard side.  I don't think I'd ever feel confident enough to pull stern in.

[Jim Hardesty]

mregan,

If you don't already do this try.  At idle or fast idle slip the transmission in reverse then when moving just a bit go to neutral.  The prop-walk will stop and you can steer.  Then when you need more way put the transmission back in reverse again.  Repeat as needed to get away from the dock.  Shamrock has, more than most, prop-walk.  By using this technique I back up pretty straight.  A strong wind to stern or weeds that require more throttle is more of a challenge.
Hope this is a help.
Jim
 

[Clay Greene]

I agree that this is a good approach if there is little in the way of cross-wind or cross-current.  However, if you have a lot of either that will push your bow away from your intended direction, I find I have to power through the prop walk and get the boat turning in the right direction quickly.  I have had a situation in which I used too little reverse and the bow got blown/pushed down the channel - that produces a lot of entertainment for your friends in the marina. 

[chuck53]

I've always docked stern in and always will.  The guy next to me docks bow in.  When high tide comes, it's hard enough for me to get on board and REALLY hard for my neighbor.  Not only is his forward gunwales 6-8" higher than my aft, he has to climb over his lifeline.
He would be able to board much easier stern in.  As far as the shore power cord goes, you make do.

[Wayne]

I dock stern to for the convenience. Usually I have a bit of a cross breeze, almost always from the same direction.  When backing in, I make my turn to port so prop walk is my friend helping to rotate my boat in the direction I need.  And yes, the cross wind does grab hold of my bow.  My technique is to go down the fairway, which will be into the wind, perhaps six boat lengths past my slip, turn a few degrees (10?) to port just before I go into reverse. By going several slips past mine I have 100' more or less to get on plenty of way, straiten and position the boat in the fairway,  and to get the boat firmly under control before I need to start my turn.  With a cross wind there is no substitute for a firm hand on the throttle; the rudder needs to be grabbing water solidly or all is lost.  As I make my turn I can shift between reverse and idle as needed to pull the stern more quickly to port.  The cross wind is also now helping to swing my bow in the direction I want--to stbd.  At this point I need to be moving along at a decent clip because the bow will continue to rotate to stbd because of the breeze, so I need to get into my slip without putzing around.  Forward thrust is waaaay more powerful than reverse thrust, so when it is time to slow down and stop I go into forward, turn the wheel to give prop wash across the rudder to make my final longitudinal adjustment (usually to overcome the bow falling off) as I use more or less throttle as needed to come to a stop.  This whole technique was demonstrated to me by a 'boat jockeying' pro.  The first few times I did it alone were pretty stressful, but the real key is having plenty of boat speed so the rudder can really control the stern of the boat.  Now I find dead calm days are the challenge--I'm so used to the wind helping to push the bow around that I often understeer on a calm day.  And above all, since forward is so much more powerful than reverse, when my approach isn't looking right it is easy to abort and go it again.  I think the last point is really an unappreciated benefit of coming in stern to.  The power of forward gear to bring a boat to an almost immediate stop, and the use of prop wash when in forward to help 'harden up' a turn if needed.

[mregan]

When going in reverse, do you stand in front of the wheel looking out towards the stern or do you stay behind and look over your shoulder?

[Ron Hill]

I've done it both ways. Just remember everything (throttle/shifter) is reversed except the wheel!  

Almost like flying inverted, except the controls are reversed, but the throttle is the same.  

[Wayne]

I'm most comfortable in my usual spot behind the wheel looking over my shoulder.  Also, when backing and turning in a fairway you need to watch where the bow is going--having the boat rotate too quickly and put the anchor raking the sterns of boats 'across the way' wouldn't be a happy moment!