Ignore the Hubbard sockpuppet, Scout.
Fenders in a slip are a good idea simply because a dock cleat can be
damaged and it's very nice to be able to snug the boat to the dock
when you're working on her and the fenders are ready.
As for slips vs. moorings, slips can be a lot safer depending on the
area. In my area moorings are the poor man's solution. We are the ONLY
major marina on City Island. When a series of bad storms came through
only boats on moorings were damaged, hit by lightening and other boats
and so on. Our marina was not damaged at all. Hubbard, having no boat,
is probably to lazy to tie up a boat properly. He's also too lazy to
know that when a blow is coming you need to get down to the boat and
add safety lines.
People in slips care more about their boats and it shows.


RB
35s5
NY