Marina Berth - Do you enter forwards or backwards

LONG_KEELER

LONG_KEELER

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Do you have any particular reasons for selecting one or the other ?

Or do you vary it sometimes ? Perhaps due to weather.

Am talking about home berth's.

Interesting when you walk round marinas to see the variance.
 
Always backwards.
If we park forwards, then the outermost cleats/post are not far enough out to hold the stern effectively against the storm force cross winds we often have.

When parked backwards, the outer post is in a direct line with the fairlead on the bows.

PS. This is because of the bow sprit!
 
Slightly amused by the notion that what I 'select' has anything to do with it! The other day trying to do a short stay in Bradwell we were given a berth that was quite tight to get into. I made the mistake over which space it was and so had to do a touch of reverse which meant that as it was blowing 20+ within 2 and a half nanoseconds, I am stern to the berths with the bow downwind! However, by backing and filling, we jogged towards the allocated berth and I entered sternwards whereupon I pretended to grandson and guests that this had been an intentional plan from the start. Such is my skill at b*lls**t that I think I got away with it. However, warping out to go home, I made an enormous fist of it all. Didn't hit anything but my reputation was and remains in tatters......

Now the home 'berth' is a swinging mooring. You can have a go from any direction. What's not to like?
 
Mostly backwards so that we can walk through the transom. I do think it is also easier - once I had overcome an irrational blind terror of driving in backwards - I can see the approaching pontoon and make sure I stop in time.
 
maby said:
Mostly backwards so that we can walk through the transom. I do think it is also easier - once I had overcome an irrational blind terror of driving in backwards - I can see the approaching pontoon and make sure I stop in time.
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I too am a recent convert to going in backwards. Despite having a long keel. Overall, it's getting better each time I try it. I am getting better at positioning the boat better before I go backwards. Quite a lot of forwards and backwards shunting but under reasonable control.

I can only get out in one direction . If the wind is between six o'clock and twelve o'clock I have trouble getting the bow through. The prevailing winds are normally like this. Now much less stress when setting off.
 
Usually forward because it faces the prevailing wind and easier single handed. Sometimes backwards if i want to walk on through the transom, but it is a tricky tight turn into the wind for me.
 
tillergirl said:
Slightly amused by the notion that what I 'select' has anything to do with it! The other day trying to do a short stay in Bradwell we were given a berth that was quite tight to get into. I made the mistake over which space it was and so had to do a touch of reverse which meant that as it was blowing 20+ within 2 and a half nanoseconds, I am stern to the berths with the bow downwind! However, by backing and filling, we jogged towards the allocated berth and I entered sternwards whereupon I pretended to grandson and guests that this had been an intentional plan from the start. Such is my skill at b*lls**t that I think I got away with it. However, warping out to go home, I made an enormous fist of it all. Didn't hit anything but my reputation was and remains in tatters......

Now the home 'berth' is a swinging mooring. You can have a go from any direction. What's not to like?
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:D I know you are also a fully paid up member of the long (dart thrown backwards) type keel.

I had swinging moorings for years . On holidays it was only pressure from the wife that made me use marinas. I was happy to go for miles using the tender for water, fuel and food. It was easier getting out than getting in though. I could round up more volunteers.
 
LONG_KEELER said:
:D ...
.... It was easier getting out than getting in though. I could round up more volunteers.
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When we first started sailing we were embarrassingly bad! People must have been monitoring the marina on channel 80 - every time we called to request a lock-in you could see boats round the marina sprouting extra fenders!
 
I usually go stern too as my folding prop bites much quicker in forwards than reverse enabling a more speedy reverse in a blow that I can stop with a handful of forwards.
1st time I parked her after purchase I gamely went bows first and found I couldn't stop!
 
Always forwards do far (long keeler) but I did consider going in backwards today due to wind direction and the side the crew had fendered. They (not me) chickened out and so we refendered and went in another bay forwards in 20kn breeze.
 
Zagato said:
Forwards... Reversing into a 'fairway' is easier than into a birth. My boats don't do reverse...
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At least us older style boats can spin alot easier than most. Prop a long way from the bow.

I was on a friends modern boat with a saildrive. Went backwards beautifully with weigh on but because of the short lever was difficult to spin. Don't think anyone has it all that easy.
 
I usually go in backwards as if it looks like going pear shaped its easier to motor out ahead, rather than hurriedly in astern with any attendant prop walk. I also tell the crew that we may just be going to have a look and then coming back out to reassess if I don't like what I see!
 
In unknow harbor alsways forwards, if it is not deep enough and go backwards, the rudder hits the ground and cannot go far enough
to step of the stern on the pontoon.
 
pmagowan said:
Always forwards do far (long keeler) but I did consider going in backwards today due to wind direction and the side the crew had fendered. They (not me) chickened out and so we refendered and went in another bay forwards in 20kn breeze.
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Yes I think I will still 'do' forwards in strong winds.

Still the problem of getting the nose through the wind getting out though.

It was either hear or John Goode suggested reversing out with a clang heavy bucket tied to the stern on a line to yank the stern round and help getting the nose through. Would love to know if anyone has used this method.
 
I would of said forward every time, although present boat is very drafty if wind is from stern.

So I try and go for head to weather, although default mode is still bows to. Lucky present boat has deep keel and long efficient rudder, so handles very well.
 
HermanD said:
In unknow harbor alsways forwards, if it is not deep enough and go backwards, the rudder hits the ground and cannot go far enough
to step of the stern on the pontoon.
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Sounds like you live on the IJsselmeer . What a great place to sail.

Piles r us in many dutch marinas I notice. Quite a tight squeeze .
 
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