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Marinas--Are we getting soft??
The recent post about cost of moorings or slips got me to thinking back a
few years. The first yacht club I belonged to in the early '60 was $30 mo. membership and $.25/ft/mo. for slip rent, in San Diego. Then I get to think about the most practical and least expensive marina and that would have to be in Middletown RI, the old Stone Bridge Marina.. Nothing fancy, in fact, just the bare essentials.. A long fixed dock extending out several hundred yards into deep water.. Adjacent to the dock were pilings about 30-40ft off and spaced every 16 or so feet. No floating docks. You just backed into your slip, dropping the bow lines over either piling. Continue backing until you could pass your stern lines to the dock (always someone there to help out). BTW, if the adjacent boat already had his line on the piling, you slipped your line through his eye and then over the piling. To get on and off you pulled your boats stern into the dock and climbed a wooden ladder.. Much the same as you would if your were Med-Moored. Yes, we had water and electric but now shore side head or shower and you had to search out a place to park on the public street.. Except for a mooring field and dingy dock, I think this is the most efficient form of marina.. Cost of building and maintaining it is minimal. Plus this type of mooring is the easiest on the boat.. No dock along side saves potential damage since the boat is held off everything by the centenary of the lines. Each boater leaves a couple fenders over in case someone has trouble getting into his slip. Cost, in 1972 dollars, was $35/mo for a 35ft slip. The obvious draw is the boat access. That vertical ladder that was sometimes wet and slimy at low tide and at extreme low tide, might have barnacles on it.. Well that's the price you payed for a very secure and practical mooring. I would like to suggest that this arrangement is only for the fit and dedicated boater.. Ladies in skirts and high heals and those who can't climb a slippery ladder should probably stay at home. Ahh! for the good ole days. The simple life and simple boats. Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
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"Steve" wrote: The recent post about cost of moorings or slips got me to thinking back a few years. The first yacht club I belonged to in the early '60 was $30 mo. membership and $.25/ft/mo. for slip rent, in San Diego. Then I get to think about the most practical and least expensive marina and that would have to be in Middletown RI, the old Stone Bridge Marina.. Nothing fancy, in fact, just the bare essentials.. A long fixed dock extending out several hundred yards into deep water.. Adjacent to the dock were pilings about 30-40ft off and spaced every 16 or so feet. No floating docks. You just backed into your slip, dropping the bow lines over either piling. Continue backing until you could pass your stern lines to the dock (always someone there to help out). BTW, if the adjacent boat already had his line on the piling, you slipped your line through his eye and then over the piling. To get on and off you pulled your boats stern into the dock and climbed a wooden ladder.. Much the same as you would if your were Med-Moored. Did you have no one who came in bow in? If we go stern in, we either have to duck under or climb over the dinghy on the davits. Our boat was docked by the PO stern to but he had the dinghy on deck. He got off by walking across the swim ladder which was on the stern. I fell in once by backing off the end of the dock, and I could not get up the dock ladder because it had only one rung, and the rung was over my head by about a foot from the water at low tide. The lower rungs had been rotted away from water immersion. For that reason, we always have our swim ladder partly down so it can be pulled all the way down if someone is in the water. Yes, we had water and electric but now shore side head or shower and you had to search out a place to park on the public street.. Except for a mooring field and dingy dock, I think this is the most efficient form of marina.. Cost of building and maintaining it is minimal. Plus this type of mooring is the easiest on the boat.. No dock along side saves potential damage since the boat is held off everything by the centenary of the lines. Each boater leaves a couple fenders over in case someone has trouble getting into his slip. Cost, in 1972 dollars, was $35/mo for a 35ft slip. The obvious draw is the boat access. That vertical ladder that was sometimes wet and slimy at low tide and at extreme low tide, might have barnacles on it.. Well that's the price you payed for a very secure and practical mooring. I would like to suggest that this arrangement is only for the fit and dedicated boater.. Ladies in skirts and high heals and those who can't climb a slippery ladder should probably stay at home. Ladies who are wearing high heels probably shouldn't be on the boat at all. Skirts are not prohibited as long as they aren't too tight and the person behind/below you is someone that is a SO or other person that you don't mind seeing stuff that's normally hidden from view. Didn't the slime on the ladder get the deck dirty? Ahh! for the good ole days. The simple life and simple boats. Steve s/v Good Intentions grandma Rosalie |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
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"Steve" wrote: The recent post about cost of moorings or slips got me to thinking back a few years. The first yacht club I belonged to in the early '60 was $30 mo. membership and $.25/ft/mo. for slip rent, in San Diego. Then I get to think about the most practical and least expensive marina and that would have to be in Middletown RI, the old Stone Bridge Marina.. Nothing fancy, in fact, just the bare essentials.. A long fixed dock extending out several hundred yards into deep water.. Adjacent to the dock were pilings about 30-40ft off and spaced every 16 or so feet. No floating docks. You just backed into your slip, dropping the bow lines over either piling. Continue backing until you could pass your stern lines to the dock (always someone there to help out). BTW, if the adjacent boat already had his line on the piling, you slipped your line through his eye and then over the piling. To get on and off you pulled your boats stern into the dock and climbed a wooden ladder.. Much the same as you would if your were Med-Moored. Did you have no one who came in bow in? If we go stern in, we either have to duck under or climb over the dinghy on the davits. Our boat was docked by the PO stern to but he had the dinghy on deck. He got off by walking across the swim ladder which was on the stern. I fell in once by backing off the end of the dock, and I could not get up the dock ladder because it had only one rung, and the rung was over my head by about a foot from the water at low tide. The lower rungs had been rotted away from water immersion. For that reason, we always have our swim ladder partly down so it can be pulled all the way down if someone is in the water. Yes, we had water and electric but now shore side head or shower and you had to search out a place to park on the public street.. Except for a mooring field and dingy dock, I think this is the most efficient form of marina.. Cost of building and maintaining it is minimal. Plus this type of mooring is the easiest on the boat.. No dock along side saves potential damage since the boat is held off everything by the centenary of the lines. Each boater leaves a couple fenders over in case someone has trouble getting into his slip. Cost, in 1972 dollars, was $35/mo for a 35ft slip. The obvious draw is the boat access. That vertical ladder that was sometimes wet and slimy at low tide and at extreme low tide, might have barnacles on it.. Well that's the price you payed for a very secure and practical mooring. I would like to suggest that this arrangement is only for the fit and dedicated boater.. Ladies in skirts and high heals and those who can't climb a slippery ladder should probably stay at home. Ladies who are wearing high heels probably shouldn't be on the boat at all. Skirts are not prohibited as long as they aren't too tight and the person behind/below you is someone that is a SO or other person that you don't mind seeing stuff that's normally hidden from view. Didn't the slime on the ladder get the deck dirty? Ahh! for the good ole days. The simple life and simple boats. Steve s/v Good Intentions grandma Rosalie |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
Remember, this was 30 years ago and a davits/dingy on the stern was not all
that common. Also this was a mix of commercial fishing and pleasure boats (more commercial than pleasure). And even the pleasure boats were of the 'rough & ready' type.. Not to worry about slim on deck.. I think backing in was more of a custom since the fishinb boats had to get there pots and gear on and off from the stern.. I didn't happen to have a bowsprit on this boat but that would be another good reason to back in since a bowsprit is worse than "walking the plank" when trying to pass the lines to the dock and too climb on and off.. Another advantage to this type of mooring that I now remember, was the lack of ice hazards when your boat is away from the dock. It just doesn't tend to jam like it does with floating docks. Given the choice and comparable fees in todays dollars, I would go for this type of moorage since I just don't need all that convenience for my winter moorage.. During summer, I'm off sailing or at anchor.. As a matter of fact, if I could get good deal on a protected dingy dock, close to an all weather anchorage, I would anchor all winter as well.. -- My opinion and experience. FWIW Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
Remember, this was 30 years ago and a davits/dingy on the stern was not all
that common. Also this was a mix of commercial fishing and pleasure boats (more commercial than pleasure). And even the pleasure boats were of the 'rough & ready' type.. Not to worry about slim on deck.. I think backing in was more of a custom since the fishinb boats had to get there pots and gear on and off from the stern.. I didn't happen to have a bowsprit on this boat but that would be another good reason to back in since a bowsprit is worse than "walking the plank" when trying to pass the lines to the dock and too climb on and off.. Another advantage to this type of mooring that I now remember, was the lack of ice hazards when your boat is away from the dock. It just doesn't tend to jam like it does with floating docks. Given the choice and comparable fees in todays dollars, I would go for this type of moorage since I just don't need all that convenience for my winter moorage.. During summer, I'm off sailing or at anchor.. As a matter of fact, if I could get good deal on a protected dingy dock, close to an all weather anchorage, I would anchor all winter as well.. -- My opinion and experience. FWIW Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
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"Steve" wrote: Remember, this was 30 years ago and a davits/dingy on the stern was not all that common. Also this was a mix of commercial fishing and pleasure boats (more commercial than pleasure). And even the pleasure boats were of the 'rough & ready' type.. Not to worry about slim on deck.. I think backing in was more of a custom since the fishinb boats had to get there pots and gear on and off from the stern.. I didn't happen to have a bowsprit on this boat but that would be another good reason to back in since a bowsprit is worse than "walking the plank" when trying to pass the lines to the dock and too climb on and off.. In the boats that I know of with bowsprits (Gozzard for instance) when they are docked at fixed docks with short finger piers, they normally climb on and off via the bowsprit. Even boats like ours with just a bow pulpit, people climb on and off through the bow. I don't like to do it, but it is commonly done. I don't know what difference a bowsprit would make in passing the lines to the dock. Another advantage to this type of mooring that I now remember, was the lack of ice hazards when your boat is away from the dock. It just doesn't tend to jam like it does with floating docks. I do not understand this advantage, but I have not had to deal with ice at the docks (fixed or floating). Given the choice and comparable fees in todays dollars, I would go for this type of moorage since I just don't need all that convenience for my winter moorage.. During summer, I'm off sailing or at anchor.. As a matter of fact, if I could get good deal on a protected dingy dock, close to an all weather anchorage, I would anchor all winter as well.. grandma Rosalie |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
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"Steve" wrote: Remember, this was 30 years ago and a davits/dingy on the stern was not all that common. Also this was a mix of commercial fishing and pleasure boats (more commercial than pleasure). And even the pleasure boats were of the 'rough & ready' type.. Not to worry about slim on deck.. I think backing in was more of a custom since the fishinb boats had to get there pots and gear on and off from the stern.. I didn't happen to have a bowsprit on this boat but that would be another good reason to back in since a bowsprit is worse than "walking the plank" when trying to pass the lines to the dock and too climb on and off.. In the boats that I know of with bowsprits (Gozzard for instance) when they are docked at fixed docks with short finger piers, they normally climb on and off via the bowsprit. Even boats like ours with just a bow pulpit, people climb on and off through the bow. I don't like to do it, but it is commonly done. I don't know what difference a bowsprit would make in passing the lines to the dock. Another advantage to this type of mooring that I now remember, was the lack of ice hazards when your boat is away from the dock. It just doesn't tend to jam like it does with floating docks. I do not understand this advantage, but I have not had to deal with ice at the docks (fixed or floating). Given the choice and comparable fees in todays dollars, I would go for this type of moorage since I just don't need all that convenience for my winter moorage.. During summer, I'm off sailing or at anchor.. As a matter of fact, if I could get good deal on a protected dingy dock, close to an all weather anchorage, I would anchor all winter as well.. grandma Rosalie |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 10:52:45 -0800, "Steve" wrote:
The recent post about cost of moorings or slips got me to thinking back a few years. The first yacht club I belonged to in the early '60 was $30 mo. membership and $.25/ft/mo. for slip rent, in San Diego. Then I get to think about the most practical and least expensive marina and that would have to be in Middletown RI, the old Stone Bridge Marina.. .... Cost, in 1972 dollars, was $35/mo for a 35ft slip. From the bottom coast (Gulf of Mexico)... About 1972 or 73 everyone was complaining because the Parish (county) Marina went up from $50 a _year_ for a slip, any length, to $75 a year. Today it's up to $900 a year. 12 times as much, with the inflation index at 4.11. Still a bargain these days at $75 a month. Electricity and water is separate - one has to have them turned on, just like at a house. The only other local marina charges $50 a month, including electricity and water, and $100 a month for a covered shed for the powerboat crowd. An additional $50 a month for live-aboard to cover the usual extra electricity charges. Back in '73 in NW Florida, lots of empty land to dinghy into, $0.05 to $0.10 a ft for transient at the big marinas, "A couple weeks? Give me $5 and talk to me if you stay longer." at the little ones behind gas stations, stores and stuff. No idea of monthly charges. Today, $0.75 to $1.50 a ft plus a whole heard of "hidden" charges, such as $8.75 a day for electricity, $3.95 for water, $10 for "underwater land lease", etc. IOW, at least double the quoted price. Oh yeah, and wall to wall condos, houses, camps and businesses. Ahhhhhhhhh, for the good ol' days! :-) Rick S/V Final Step http://www.morelr.com/coronado/ |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 10:52:45 -0800, "Steve" wrote:
The recent post about cost of moorings or slips got me to thinking back a few years. The first yacht club I belonged to in the early '60 was $30 mo. membership and $.25/ft/mo. for slip rent, in San Diego. Then I get to think about the most practical and least expensive marina and that would have to be in Middletown RI, the old Stone Bridge Marina.. .... Cost, in 1972 dollars, was $35/mo for a 35ft slip. From the bottom coast (Gulf of Mexico)... About 1972 or 73 everyone was complaining because the Parish (county) Marina went up from $50 a _year_ for a slip, any length, to $75 a year. Today it's up to $900 a year. 12 times as much, with the inflation index at 4.11. Still a bargain these days at $75 a month. Electricity and water is separate - one has to have them turned on, just like at a house. The only other local marina charges $50 a month, including electricity and water, and $100 a month for a covered shed for the powerboat crowd. An additional $50 a month for live-aboard to cover the usual extra electricity charges. Back in '73 in NW Florida, lots of empty land to dinghy into, $0.05 to $0.10 a ft for transient at the big marinas, "A couple weeks? Give me $5 and talk to me if you stay longer." at the little ones behind gas stations, stores and stuff. No idea of monthly charges. Today, $0.75 to $1.50 a ft plus a whole heard of "hidden" charges, such as $8.75 a day for electricity, $3.95 for water, $10 for "underwater land lease", etc. IOW, at least double the quoted price. Oh yeah, and wall to wall condos, houses, camps and businesses. Ahhhhhhhhh, for the good ol' days! :-) Rick S/V Final Step http://www.morelr.com/coronado/ |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
These days, if you yelled "dip it" to the guy catching your line he wouldn't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Okay, I'll be the dummy. I'm 44 and I don't recall hearing it. ??? If I had to guess I would say dip the eye in the drink to soften it. ???? |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
These days, if you yelled "dip it" to the guy catching your line he wouldn't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Okay, I'll be the dummy. I'm 44 and I don't recall hearing it. ??? If I had to guess I would say dip the eye in the drink to soften it. ???? |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
Okay, I'll be the dummy. I'm 44 and I don't recall hearing it. ??? If I
had to guess I would say dip the eye in the drink to soften it. ???? It is a courtesy to put your lines under the other boaters lines and if he has an eye onto a piling or ballard, you slip your line through his eye and then over the piling/ballard. This means that he can remove his line and leave without removing your line or similarly if you leave first. The US Navy does this when mooring ships to large cleats and ballards where multipule lines are secured. Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
Okay, I'll be the dummy. I'm 44 and I don't recall hearing it. ??? If I
had to guess I would say dip the eye in the drink to soften it. ???? It is a courtesy to put your lines under the other boaters lines and if he has an eye onto a piling or ballard, you slip your line through his eye and then over the piling/ballard. This means that he can remove his line and leave without removing your line or similarly if you leave first. The US Navy does this when mooring ships to large cleats and ballards where multipule lines are secured. Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
In the boats that I know of with bowsprits (Gozzard for instance) when
they are docked at fixed docks with short finger piers, they normally climb on and off via the bowsprit. Only done by people who can't back their boat into a slip. S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster" "No shirt, no skirt, full service" |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
In the boats that I know of with bowsprits (Gozzard for instance) when
they are docked at fixed docks with short finger piers, they normally climb on and off via the bowsprit. Only done by people who can't back their boat into a slip. S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster" "No shirt, no skirt, full service" |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message Only done by people who can't back their boat into a slip. Oh! That is mean spirited. Kinda like saying "Bow Thrusters are to compensate for poor boat handling skills." Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message Only done by people who can't back their boat into a slip. Oh! That is mean spirited. Kinda like saying "Bow Thrusters are to compensate for poor boat handling skills." Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
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Marinas--Are we getting soft??
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Marinas--Are we getting soft??
This means that he can remove his line and
leave without removing your line or similarly if you leave first. Very important in tidal areas, because when another boater has to leave early tide (4 AM) then he does not need to wake you! This boater will recognize dipping quickly. This practice is very commonly observed in and around the North Sea countries, where rafting and tying up 6-7 boats wide is not uncommon! Especially, if you have kept your mooring lines without enough slack . Or, they may do unintentionally a sloppy job re-doing your mooring lines ;-) -- c ya Wim www.cork.org |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
This means that he can remove his line and
leave without removing your line or similarly if you leave first. Very important in tidal areas, because when another boater has to leave early tide (4 AM) then he does not need to wake you! This boater will recognize dipping quickly. This practice is very commonly observed in and around the North Sea countries, where rafting and tying up 6-7 boats wide is not uncommon! Especially, if you have kept your mooring lines without enough slack . Or, they may do unintentionally a sloppy job re-doing your mooring lines ;-) -- c ya Wim www.cork.org |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 10:47:31 -0600, "Guido"
wrote: These days, if you yelled "dip it" to the guy catching your line he wouldn't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Okay, I'll be the dummy. I'm 44 and I don't recall hearing it. ??? If I had to guess I would say dip the eye in the drink to soften it. ???? I am 68 and I never heard that expression, although I always do it when circumstances indicate. Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a "Nuke the gay whales for Jesus" -- anon T-shirt |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 10:47:31 -0600, "Guido"
wrote: These days, if you yelled "dip it" to the guy catching your line he wouldn't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Okay, I'll be the dummy. I'm 44 and I don't recall hearing it. ??? If I had to guess I would say dip the eye in the drink to soften it. ???? I am 68 and I never heard that expression, although I always do it when circumstances indicate. Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a "Nuke the gay whales for Jesus" -- anon T-shirt |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
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Rodney Myrvaagnes wrote: On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 10:47:31 -0600, "Guido" wrote: These days, if you yelled "dip it" to the guy catching your line he wouldn't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Okay, I'll be the dummy. I'm 44 and I don't recall hearing it. ??? If I had to guess I would say dip the eye in the drink to soften it. ???? I am 68 and I never heard that expression, although I always do it when circumstances indicate. My age is irrelevant, and I've never heard the expression, but I've seen Bob do it when he's had his lines on a piling that someone else was also using for their lines. I vaguely remember hearing about it someplace - like maybe the CGAux basic boating course. grandma Rosalie |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
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Rodney Myrvaagnes wrote: On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 10:47:31 -0600, "Guido" wrote: These days, if you yelled "dip it" to the guy catching your line he wouldn't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Okay, I'll be the dummy. I'm 44 and I don't recall hearing it. ??? If I had to guess I would say dip the eye in the drink to soften it. ???? I am 68 and I never heard that expression, although I always do it when circumstances indicate. My age is irrelevant, and I've never heard the expression, but I've seen Bob do it when he's had his lines on a piling that someone else was also using for their lines. I vaguely remember hearing about it someplace - like maybe the CGAux basic boating course. grandma Rosalie |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
So why should we have to back into a slip?
Because you were talking about having to climb over bow pulpits to get off a boat. Then there was the bowsprit thing. Personally I'd like to keep a chainsaw at my marina to take care of the dimwits who park their bowsprit equiped boats with the bowsprit protruding half way over the pier. S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster" "No shirt, no skirt, full service" |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
So why should we have to back into a slip?
Because you were talking about having to climb over bow pulpits to get off a boat. Then there was the bowsprit thing. Personally I'd like to keep a chainsaw at my marina to take care of the dimwits who park their bowsprit equiped boats with the bowsprit protruding half way over the pier. S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster" "No shirt, no skirt, full service" |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
with the bowsprit protruding half way over the pier.
Another good reason to back into a slip.. The dock master is less likely to object to the "undeclared" length of the bow sprit, if it is poking out into the fairway than over the dock. However, one disadvantages to backing into a slip that hasn't been mentioned, is privacy.. When you stern to the dock, you can't leave your companionway open without dock walkers peering in. Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
with the bowsprit protruding half way over the pier.
Another good reason to back into a slip.. The dock master is less likely to object to the "undeclared" length of the bow sprit, if it is poking out into the fairway than over the dock. However, one disadvantages to backing into a slip that hasn't been mentioned, is privacy.. When you stern to the dock, you can't leave your companionway open without dock walkers peering in. Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
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(SAIL LOCO) wrote: So why should we have to back into a slip? Because you were talking about having to climb over bow pulpits to get off a boat. When I park a car, I usually go into the space head first. My husband backs in. I'd rather back out into a big space than back into a small space. He feels that he'd rather see out where he's going, and I feel that the hood (bonnet) of the car keeps you almost as far back in the space as going in forward does. (In actual fact I often find a place in the lot with two spaces and pull all the way through.) Then there was the bowsprit thing. Personally I'd like to keep a chainsaw at my marina to take care of the dimwits who park their bowsprit equiped boats with the bowsprit protruding half way over the pier. S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster" "No shirt, no skirt, full service" We don't have a bowsprit, but neither do we ever allow the bow to overhang the pier because we have an anchor with sharp edges on it and we don't want people running into it and getting hurt. Also I think there's too much chance of the bow coming down on the pier especially if there are fixed docks and some tide. The people with bowsprits and the people who climb off over the bow are not me. I've just seen it done (and visited those people) so I know it's possible. In Elizabeth City the concrete city docks (fixed) are about on the level with our bow, and the finger piers are very short and are much lower down. I have to have a step on the finger pier or I can't reach from the deck of the boat to the dock. There's an iron railing on the shore so one couldn't protrude over even if one was big enough. I've never seen a sailboat back into those slips. http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/44933/#TL next to last picture and http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/4a9c6/c96b6/ first two pictures. grandma Rosalie http://www12.virtualtourist.com/m/4a9c6/ |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
One good reason to go bow first into a slip
is vessel control. Before docking, we all determine whether this is wind and/or current running (which is stronger if both are in play) and how it is going to effect the handling of the boat. Once that is determined, if a skipper has a choice of berths he is more likely to select one where he is motoring *into* the prevailing variable, (wind or current) to help stop the boat. It's normally easier to add a little throttle to overcome an opposing force than to be swept along like helpless flotsam. Most vessels are more efficiently propped to move forward, rather than in reverse. Most vessels have more positive steering control moving forward than when backing up. When the wind is up, the light bow is more likely to blow off than the heavy stern. Tucking the bow in first may get it out of a crosswind if there are vessels berthed to either side. Backing in with a cross wind leaves the vulnerable bow hanging out in the fairway, while the muscle and brains of the vessel, (the prop and rudder) are squuezed into a confined space with less room to correct the situation. Since we steer with the stern, not the bow, it makes sense (to me) to have the greatest amount of flexibility possible to steer the vessel. That means having the stern in the fairway with some wiggle room available rather than jammed in the slip with less. Maybe a twin screw powerboat with a bow thruster has plenty of control backing up when it's windy- but for any other vessel my own preference would be to go into the slip bow first. I one *must* back up to the float yacht club cocktail style and conditions are less than completely benign, the lost art of using a spring line can allow a boater a chance to substitute gracefully for a "proper" (big grin) bow-first appoach |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
One good reason to go bow first into a slip
is vessel control. Before docking, we all determine whether this is wind and/or current running (which is stronger if both are in play) and how it is going to effect the handling of the boat. Once that is determined, if a skipper has a choice of berths he is more likely to select one where he is motoring *into* the prevailing variable, (wind or current) to help stop the boat. It's normally easier to add a little throttle to overcome an opposing force than to be swept along like helpless flotsam. Most vessels are more efficiently propped to move forward, rather than in reverse. Most vessels have more positive steering control moving forward than when backing up. When the wind is up, the light bow is more likely to blow off than the heavy stern. Tucking the bow in first may get it out of a crosswind if there are vessels berthed to either side. Backing in with a cross wind leaves the vulnerable bow hanging out in the fairway, while the muscle and brains of the vessel, (the prop and rudder) are squuezed into a confined space with less room to correct the situation. Since we steer with the stern, not the bow, it makes sense (to me) to have the greatest amount of flexibility possible to steer the vessel. That means having the stern in the fairway with some wiggle room available rather than jammed in the slip with less. Maybe a twin screw powerboat with a bow thruster has plenty of control backing up when it's windy- but for any other vessel my own preference would be to go into the slip bow first. I one *must* back up to the float yacht club cocktail style and conditions are less than completely benign, the lost art of using a spring line can allow a boater a chance to substitute gracefully for a "proper" (big grin) bow-first appoach |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
When you stern to the dock, you can't leave your companionway open without
dock walkers peering in. So put the magazine away. S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster" "No shirt, no skirt, full service" |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
When you stern to the dock, you can't leave your companionway open without
dock walkers peering in. So put the magazine away. S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster" "No shirt, no skirt, full service" |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
When I park a car, I usually go into the space head first. My husband
backs in. I'd rather back out into a big space than back into a small space. He feels that he'd rather see out where he's going, and I feel that the hood (bonnet) of the car keeps you almost as far back in the space as going in forward does. (In actual fact I often find a place in the lot with two spaces and pull all the way through.) Women are the reason why manufactures are now putting those back up warning alarms on cars now. People have always said Women park by feel. S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster" "No shirt, no skirt, full service" |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
When I park a car, I usually go into the space head first. My husband
backs in. I'd rather back out into a big space than back into a small space. He feels that he'd rather see out where he's going, and I feel that the hood (bonnet) of the car keeps you almost as far back in the space as going in forward does. (In actual fact I often find a place in the lot with two spaces and pull all the way through.) Women are the reason why manufactures are now putting those back up warning alarms on cars now. People have always said Women park by feel. S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster" "No shirt, no skirt, full service" |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
When I park a car, I usually go into the space head first. My husband
backs in. I'd rather back out into a big space than back into a small space. Backing a car into a parking stall is justified by the same physics that indicate a bow-first docking. :-) You keep the steering end where it has the most room to swing while you accurately position the pivot point into a confined space. Leaving a parking stall front axle first gives a greater number of early options to incorporate a useful angle to the departure. When the front axle exits the parking stall last, the front (steering) end of the vehicle is constricted by proximity to other cars. One major difference between docking a boat and parking a car. On a boat, it's perfectly acceptable to bounce off a few fenders. |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
When I park a car, I usually go into the space head first. My husband
backs in. I'd rather back out into a big space than back into a small space. Backing a car into a parking stall is justified by the same physics that indicate a bow-first docking. :-) You keep the steering end where it has the most room to swing while you accurately position the pivot point into a confined space. Leaving a parking stall front axle first gives a greater number of early options to incorporate a useful angle to the departure. When the front axle exits the parking stall last, the front (steering) end of the vehicle is constricted by proximity to other cars. One major difference between docking a boat and parking a car. On a boat, it's perfectly acceptable to bounce off a few fenders. |
Marinas--Are we getting soft??
Gould 0738 wrote in message ... One major difference between docking a boat and parking a car. On a boat, it's perfectly acceptable to bounce off a few fenders. You may be on to something........a flatter type of fender to hang from your new auto in mall parking lots. How do you get a patent? |
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