LH prop is port or starboard berth preferred? Haven Marina Ipswich

[Jokani]

My minimal mooring experience has almost always been in tidal waters, either a ferry glide to a pontoon berth, or moor on a swinging mooring with plenty of space.

I am looking to move to Haven Marina Ipswich in the next few weeks, I understand there will not be any tidal flow, in which case with a LH prop would I be better mooring port side or starboard side, or is there no/neligible difference?

 

[drawp]

My minimal mooring experience has almost always been in tidal waters, either a ferry glide to a pontoon berth, or moor on a swinging mooring with plenty of space.

I am looking to move to Haven Marina Ipswich in the next few weeks, I understand there will not be any tidal flow, in which case with a LH prop would I be better mooring port side or starboard side, or is there no/neligible difference?

Starboard side to - as you stern will "walk" to starboard when reverse is engaged.

 

[scrambledegg]

I think that it hardly matters whether you moor to port side or starboard side, but what does matter is what way you need to turn the boat when you are backing out of your slot. I have prop wash to starboard (right-handed prop I think), which makes the stern move to port as I reverse out. Unfortunately I need to make the stern move to starboard as I back out to get the boat headed for the exit. This makes departing significantly more difficult.
I suppose I could get used to backing into my berth, that would solve the problem.

 

[VicS]

When arriving if you berth starboard side to you will be able to approach at a slight angle to the pontoon and then with a LH prop swing the stern in with the burst of "astern " power that also stops the forward motion.

The effect of prop walk will be more critical when going astern to leave the berth! The stern will have a strong tendency to want to turn to starboard. This means that if you are in an east facing berth the boat will tend to turn to face open water to the north, regardless of whether you are stbd or port side to. If you are in a west facing berth the stern will tend to turn towards the open water to the north,,, which may simply mean that you go out into open water stern first.
( all assuming your berth is where I think it will be)

Strong winds will complicate the whole issue especially when going astern.

 

[MoodySabre]

The good thing about Ipswich Haven is that the aisles are quite short so backing out is not a problem.

I have a LH and therefore a kick to starboard in reverse. The best berth is on the port side of the aisle, starboard side to.( But not right down the far end). You can then come in at a slight angle and then easily back out of your berth and exit forwards.

 

[Jokani]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the advice, I'll see what the marina can offer. Cheers, Gary.