Bow in or stern in at the dock?

[pdqaltair]

My primary reasons for backing in are loading and ease of loading arthritic guests (VERY important to me).

However, daily practice is also very handy when visiting unfamiliar locations; it keep your boat handling sharp. More than once I have been directed to a slip that did not fit only to find that an adverse current made retreat complicated. It's good to know how to slide her around against wind and current.

[blt2ski]

NCC,

I tried the outgo method the other day, worked well, considering it was only blowing about 5 knots!

Coming in so far, as not been as big a deal, but havining a long line in the front, that I can throw around the front cleat as I go past with the stern seems to help. I will usually get in the slip 1/2 to 3/4 of the way and get out, pull the boat the rest of the way in. Then again, I still have some strength to do this,ask me in 20 yrs if this still works!

Marty

[pinayreefer]

Interesting discussion as I just docked for the first time at a public marina this past week, and went in stern-to. Why? My lifeline gate made it easier to board since the finger is short, our dock floats so not so much a privacy issue, and most importantly, the boat next to us goes in bow-to and has a 6' bowsprit that nearly extends across the pier. Really irritating! It seems friendlier this way, but we may rethink it later.