[Plumper]

I prefer to go through the tide gates against the tide. With a little current from ahead you get maximum steerage with minimum speed over the ground. It makes everything happen slowly. The contrary, running through with the tide, makes you want to ease off on the throttles and gives you the feeling of way less control. That is why the vessels running downstream have the right of way over those going upstream.

Regarding Dodd narrows, we (in a 42' trawler) went through yesterday, with the 4 knot ebb, and there were no whirlies on the south side. It was good. That is my max transit speed through Dodds. If you wait until slack you have to deal with the tugs and their tows. They won't normally go through with much current (especially if they are going with it).