Bow or Stern into slip?

JimMH

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
361
Re: Bow or Stern into slip?

I have done it both ways but like to put stern in. I learn something everyday on here!
 

rbh

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
7,939
Re: Bow or Stern into slip?

Sterns always in for us, there is no way in heck I could scramble over the bow
 

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: Bow or Stern into slip?

I don't recall ever seeing a boat in a slip bow first. I want my bow to the incoming wake.

You must be an saltwater guy. :) Our dock is in the back of a secluded cove, the only wake you'll deal with while docking is that of the ducks swimming by. :D

I agree on shutting down the engines once you've got the first 5-6ft in the slip while backing. It's much easier to just walk the boat back with a length of rode from the stern. Something I also see a bit of on the bigger boats is a line that runs from end to end on the dock. The middle of that line gets thrown over the center cleat (not tied off, just placed over) on the boat as you're docking to help guide the bow while you're drifting/pulling from the back.
 

rjlipscomb

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
582
Re: Bow or Stern into slip?

I admire those guys (and girls) that can handle their boat as shown in the video clips. I'm still the slow and careful kind of driver. :)

Oh, and still a stern-in is best unless conditions dictate otherwise vote.
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Re: Bow or Stern into slip?

Just to add another wrinkle...

The wife and I just purchased a condo in a boating community in Stuart, FL. The association riules require that boats be docked bow-in, so prop wash won't erode the bulkheads.
 

themaniam1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 4, 2009
Messages
127
Re: Bow or Stern into slip?

Well I think I am going to try the stern-in method once the ice melts. Maybe I will start a trend at the lake :D.
 

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: Bow or Stern into slip?

Well I think I am going to try the stern-in method once the ice melts. Maybe I will start a trend at the lake :D.

Just watch you stern when departing, if the boat drifts too far back in the slip, your prop/outdrive will be fighting the iron framing of the dock!
 

Black Snow Slide

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2007
Messages
276
Re: Bow or Stern into slip?

Many times I do pull in bow first for the following reasons;

1 Shore cord many times easier to get to.
2 I use my dindy at the marina so its easier to load and unload off the swim platform.
3 When hanging out on the boat, I enjoy the privacy and view of the water versus the view of the dock and people looking in from the side walk.
4 Wind, Current, and Tide.

We have finger docks on the side of the boat so loading and unloading from the dock is not effected.
 
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