Slip Width

[johar]

I''m trying to determine what size slip is best for my boat. The LOA is 34''5" and the Beam is about 11''. The slips I have to choose from have fingers on both sides. I can get a 34 foot slip which has a width of 13 feet. A 36 foot slip with a width of 14 feet, or a 38 foot slip with a width of 15 feet. I like the idea of a tight fit, but the 34 foot slip will only give me a foot off each beam. Is that too tight? Should I go bigger? How much? Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[928frenzy]

Although a tight fit may cost less and sound acceptable, you should consider how much extra space you''ll need to maneuver in and out of the slip (especially in cross winds and currents) so that you don''t hit piers, or adjacent boats. :^(

Also, once tied-up, your boat should have enough additional room to move in the slip so that it doesn''t hit anything during tidal fluctuations and wind and current movements.

However, if you know how to line-up your boat ''perfectly'' (regardless of wind and/or current direction and speed), and there isn''t much of a tidal fluctuation, then get the cheapest/tightest slip available. YMMV.

~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

[Denr]

In a cross wind/current situation I''m sure you''ll appreciate the extra beam especially if you single hand a lot like I do. With a 34’ slip your stern would extend into the channel 2-3 feet. I would opt for the 36’ x 14’ slip. This is the size I have for my 34’ boat. The preferred “tight fit” idea you described, might require that you to apply Sailkote to the hull to get into and out of your slip!

[johar]

My current slip has a finger to starboard, and a big new powerboat to port with no piling or anything in between. When I''m docking, assuming someone has successfully made my springline to stop me, the only thing I really worry about is my stern going to port and hitting the powerboat. Once the spring is made, I can take the wheel hard over to port, give it a little throttle, and my stern walks to starboard. But I''ve mis-timed that before and had to fend off the other boat with a fender while tossing my stern line to someone to drag my stern back in.

My thinking with the "tight slip" (with fingers on both sides) was that I would never have to worry about the boat going anywhere once I got in into the slip. I would just have to be sure I can stop the boat, and all my other current problems would be nonexistent.

Am I oversimplifying the issue, or perhaps missing something altogether?

[johar]

Also, I was thinking that since I would not have to worry about my stern going anywhere once I was coming into the slip, that I would be able to use reverse to help stop the boat if I''m really being blown on. With the open slip, I never used reverse coming in for fear of my stern being uncooperative and swinging out.

[SailorMitch]

Johar,

Without being able to eyeball your slip/situation, it''s a bit tough to address your questions. But here goes an attempt since I singlehand almost exclusively and have quite a bit of experience dealing with slips.

First suggestion is to think about the geometry of the pull applied by the spring line that you first tie when reentering. It may be too far forward if your stern is swinging around. You may be better off first grabbing a stern line since it seems that you''re most concerned about that end of the boat. I grab a stern line first myself FWIW. Next I go for a bowline. the springs are the last ones I go for.

It also sounds like you grab the same spring line first all the time. I first grab the lines on the windward side of the boat in the slip to control the boat better. My stern walks to port in reverse, and I use the propwalk to help control the boat when the wind is coming from port -- the propwalk will put me right by the piling to grab the port stern line first.

If the wind is pushing me into the slip, grabbing a stern line first makes it easy to stop and to control the boat.

Hope this helps.

[928frenzy]

As previously pointed out, a narrow slip is usually found on one that is short. If this is the case, even if your boat fits from side-to-side with no problems, its bow may extend into the access channel, which I think may lead to more problems.

Second, having additional maneuvering room in a wide slip can never be worse than the lack of maneuvering room in a narrow slip. IMO, the only downside to a wider and longer slip is usually ''cost''. As in most thing one buys, "you get what you pay for".

~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

[KenD]

Talk about hitting the mark I was in a slip a few years ago with enough room to single hand the hard part was the boats across from me had bowsprits sticking into the channel about four feet. Had to use the pilings to warp around just to get in an out. once inside the slip the heavy sweating stoped. went to great oak landing once they let me use a slip an you could get in blindfolded must have been 18 feet wide. go for the wide and longer one and you won''t have to regret it.
fair winds