You say that like it's easier. Non tidal means you have no control when not moving at reasonable speed, so you're entirely at the mercy of the elements. Locked marina, if it's anything like Port Solent, means buildings and wind tunnels which accelerate any wind and make it unpredictable to boot. Locked also generally means limited space so the fairways are very tight and berths not as wide and forgiving.
From my own perspective the 323 reverses well and it relatively steerable, as you would expect with a 33ft boat where all the steerage is at the rear. However the wind whistles down this stretch of pontoons through the row of houses and bridge and one more finger pontoon to the left is the end of the row. So not much room to work. I have been blown down there once and getting out was difficult. So I don't hold much hope for me to head down and reverse into wind into the berth.
I do want to say - I just need to get better at this. We've not had the boat for very long, these are early days and the great thing about years of experience is it takes years to acquire!! I will get there one way or another as will the OP - I guess
Of course, practise is helpful. However there are certain situations that defeat even the most experienced people. Ok if you have the alternatives you suggest of going to another berth or anchoring and waiting etc, but if like tonywardle your permanent berth suffers from a strong crosswind you really don't have options. This is exactly why I had a bow thruster fitted. My berth faces E/W with 1.5 boat lengths between rows and I reverse into the prevailing west using a little bit of bow thruster to steer the boat if necessary and never have any problems on my own. However if , like now there is a northerly - anything more than 8 knots the bow gets blown around and it is impossible to keep control without the thruster. Easier going in forwards, but then difficult to get out because difficult to reverse into the wind, or try downwind because of the short distance and closeness of other boats.
I have only reversed out of the berth so far. This has been four times to date (lockdown) and each time it has been into the prevailing wind. The previous syndicate owners had a checklist sheet which recommended this but to be very careful as the turn out of the berth is made, not to hit the boat next to us with the anchor (the wind pushes the bow around quickly). I spoke to some other berth holders this week who had said that other berth areas are even tighter - haha. There's no winning - just need to get better, thankfully the marina is good with practising.
Hi Doug,
Thanks Tony. Looks like a great couple of ideas. It’s the reversing in bit that’s tricky especially in a crosswind. I did eventually manage to get a bow thruster fitted although I only plan to use it when I’m getting into trouble. I’ve not had a go yet as she’s still in the yard at Conwy awaiting access on 12th.
Do you also drive without your ABS on when it's not snowy? Don't let a bunch of lunatics on a forum sway you, you have a tool so use it to your advantage! There is literally no benefit to doing things a harder way than necessary, none at all. You won't get a medal for great parking "the old fashioned way" and nobody will be on the pontoon clapping. What you might get is a few war wounds on the topsides and a slightly later access to your gin.
There are very few who only sit on one side of that fence ?
