Why do power boats back in and sailboats pull in?

[thinwater]

I just wanted a fun discussion. Good!

When I'm transient the always assign and end tie (catamaran). I would be annoyed if I couldn't get my dinghy out. With the tides here (no floating docks) I can usually sneak the dinghy under the dock, but not always.

[RaymondR]

Stink boaters get everything arse backwards???

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

Stink boaters get everything arse backwards???

Gratuitous insults? Why?

-Chris

[Mystic38]

i see time and time again folk trying to adhere to the mantra of "power boats back in".

its an amusing sight, a single engine 30ft sportcruiser (of high windage and weighs nothing) trying to back into a windward dock in 15kts cross wind. One of these many folk is a good friend, and time and time again i tell hi to come bow in.. but neither him nor his wife want to walk the extra 30ft...



the bottom line for me would be..if i had two engines, i would back in, with one engine, bow in...regardless of type of boat.

after all, I can look silly plenty times, but i don't want to advertise it by trying to make the boat do something it really doesn't want to.

[zeehag]

i made my answer before allowing you naysayers and critics to know i did own power boats and resided on 2 of em. one chris craft commander 38 , one iffirst 18 set in glass, and a cavalier 35 cockpitm potor yacht. both were in transom first. we did that for ease of access as boarding was over and thru transom . the cavalier also offered a lovely midships boarding option , which i had, in the form of mahogany ladder and sliding doors. whoot. that was a helluva coolass liveabord boat. twin 283s--awesome song..my motorhead and practical sides were in full swing. bendix twin autopilot.... dayummmmm
once ye has twin screw down, yer spoiled. i was still manager of pacu when i bought that beauty. lotsa room. comfy. and donot even mention the standard onan 6.5 kw genset....omy awesome comfort. fridge, electric stove..always had power even in storms when no one else did-- loved it.
but it didnt have sails, nor range.

ability to maneuver stinkpots is useful in maneuvering our slower and more cumbersome cruising boats.

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Gratuitous insults? Why?

-Chris

Vicarious gratification.

Or, the original question is playful and I responded in kind.

Or, it might be that the front end of sail boats are generally more level with the dock and consequently ease of access is about equal whether for in or aft, whereas power boats generally have a raised bow which places the deck higher above the dock than the stern and therefore stern in is more convenient for access.

Or, it might actually be that power boaters do do everything arse backwards?

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

Vicarious gratification.

Personality disorder?

Or, the original question is playful and I responded in kind.

Neither is obvious.

-Chris

[sailjumanji]

We back into the direction the wind is coming from. Dual motors on our cat are near stern. This provides higher degree of control.

That said, most times we are on end tie or t head, due to slip width limits.

[RaymondR]

It's the constant diesel fumes, sniffing petrol will destroy your mind even faster, trade the stinker on a raggy?

[J Clark H356]

Always back in. Have an open stern so on floating docks much easier to come and go. On pile docks -non-floating a little more difficult, but I still back in. I find it very easy to maneuver my Hunter 356 while backing in. I do not have a bow thruster and deep on my prop walk to help me maneuver.


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[kerrydeare]

Originally Posted by thinwater

... I know this is not 100% true, but in my creek it is about 80% ... I back in, principally because my wife and parents (87/90) can't board over the bow. I like it too, since it makes loading stuff easier ...

I have a small cruising sailboat now moored in a slip in NJ. It happens that the slip is somewhat exposed in NE winds, and to reduce problems and also allow some shelter under the dodger in such conditions, it's best to back into the slip. Frankly this is not simple, but I somehow cope.

Detail-wise, the boat is LH prop single screw, and I have a routine that works well enough. However in severe conditions when returning, I will simply go bow in until such time that reversing the arrangement is easier.

I have been in many spots where the social thing for regulars is to back the power boat in, set up to enjoy the neighbors, etc. In many cases and depending on the slip arrangement, I as a visitor also back in. This sometimes gives the dock personnel heartburn since they believe that sailing boats cannot do this without causing havoc. Not so, although practice doing this is quite useful.

Obviously I like this question a bit (smile).

[J Clark H356]

I always back into my slip at my homeport and also when cruising. On floating docks it makes an easy entry for my sugar scoop stern. It is also easier on pile docks as it is easier for us to enter the side of the cockpit.

The photos are different conditions on a cruise to Florida.



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