docking under sail legal?

junkrig · #1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

All of my sailing experience is off trailers. This year I bought a Nor'sea 27 and leased a slip. Due to more confusion and hassle than I want to get into now, the boat is not yet in her slip.
And, if it should matter to my question, the slip is in a lake in Missouri.

Now for the question: I saw a post on another thread referring to a dockmate who doesn't have an engine and docks under sail. I don't think my marina permits this, but actually don't know. Is it common for marinas to permit slipholders to dock under sail?
Jeff

TQA · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

Beer in the icebox and popcorn on the stove for this one.

junkrig · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQA

Beer in the icebox and popcorn on the stove for this one.

Duh... huh?

DRFerron · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

I have never seen a US law that addresses docking under sail. If a marina does not allow it, that is its own regulation.

junkrig · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRFerron

I have never seen a US law that addresses docking under sail. If a marina does not allow it, that is its own regulation.

Yeah well, I used the term "legal" too loosely. The real question should have been "Is docking under sail commonly permitted by marinas?"

deniseO30 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

My take on is that most marina's have bad experiencess with "expert sailors" not to mention how badly stink potters interpret sailboats when under sail.

DRFerron · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkrig

Duh... huh?

Perhaps TQA was responding to the fact that any post that contains a "legal" question is just asking for heated discussion from which the sidelines with beer and popcorn is the best place to observe, staying well clear of the line of fire.

Having started my own seemingly innocent threads that went quickly downhill, that's my guess.

Or maybe I'm just gun shy.

Minnewaska · #8 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

I've seen boats dock under sail in most marinas. I've never read a prohibition of it in any agreement, not that it would surprise me.

We have to back down a fairway that is about 10 feet wider than our boat and 25 ft narrower than we are long, then pull in between two others on a long peer. When we saw the lightening regatta return and pull in under sail, we thought it looked easy.

junkrig · #9 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRFerron

Perhaps TQA was responding to the fact that any post that contains a "legal" question is just asking for heated discussion from which the sidelines with beer and popcorn is the best place to observe, staying well clear of the line of fire.

Having started my own seemingly innocent threads that went quickly downhill, that's my guess.

Or maybe I'm just gun shy.

Indeed. I'm rapidly learning not to toss in words like "legal" when what I really mean is "permitted by management."

Boasun · #10 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011

Use to make landings under sail with a 26 ft knock-about sloop. And was putting it places where other people couldn't with their sink pots. But then I've been handling ships & boats all my adult life and little details like engine or no engine really don't worry me. All it takes is Practice. Start with an open face pier/quaywall and slowly work toward tighter places. Be sure to take in account the wind, currents and fetch.
Fetch is the distance your boat will drift after you removed all forms of power or sail.