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SV Dagny · 09-09-2019, 14:53

Hello from Houston TX, first post here. I am currently in the process of purchasing a 1990 Catalina 30. I have been searching for which marina to call home and I think I found it. I wanted to get some insight on the 2 slips I am choosing between. I am attaching a picture - I tried to show the predominately SE winds that we have here. Any input would be helpful!

Shenandoah52 · 09-09-2019, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by SV Dagny

Any input would be helpful!

I have found that the boat owners on either side of the my slip turn out to be a major contributor to how good the slip will be. Perhaps the largest. Your neighbors can make or break your experience in a given marina. I'm guessing the wind criteria is based on entering and leaving the slip? Compare the amount of time in minutes that comes into play versus all the other time you will spend on or at your boat while it is in the slip. The wind might not be the proper #1 driver of your decision.

markpierce · 09-09-2019, 15:14

I've always preferred slips pointing in the direction of prevailing winds. When entering the winds help slow the approach. On embarking the wind will aid egress. Neighbors come and go.

Sailmonkey · 09-09-2019, 15:15

None of them are very close to the restrooms and showers!

Stu Jackson · 09-09-2019, 15:21

If you have a dodger, pointing upwind will really help. Even more without a dodger!

Good ideas about the neighbors. Then you won't "know" the people on them until it's too late, but what kind of boats are they? That could help.

Good luck.

SV Dagny · 09-09-2019, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

I've always preferred slips pointing in the direction of prevailing winds. When entering the winds help slow the approach. On embarking the wind will aid egress. Neighbors come and go.

That's what I was thinking, but for some reason I seem to like the North dock better than the south dock. I have always read it is better to have your slip into the wind, but I'm just not sure how problematic it would be if it wasn't. (north dock)

"None of them are very close to the restrooms and showers!"

Parking is directly to the west, and across the parking street there is restrooms and the pool. Not sure about the showers tho.

SV Dagny · 09-09-2019, 15:29

I guess, being this is my first sailboat, I would prefer the easier slip for docking.

Tetepare · 09-09-2019, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by SV Dagny

I guess, being this is my first sailboat, I would prefer the easier slip for docking.

Then pick the one the prevailing wind will blow you onto the dock.

Sailmonkey · 09-09-2019, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by SV Dagny

I guess, being this is my first sailboat, I would prefer the easier slip for docking.

Choose the south slip then. If the wind is rambunctious from the south, you’d prefer to use it to arrest your velocity into the slip, rather than it pushing you in.

Granted in the winter you may end up with a north wind doing the same thing, but it’s not the norm.

sesmith · 09-09-2019, 18:09

If you are docking bow in, I would pick #1. If your boat handles like mine, prop walk will allow you to back to port but make it almost impossible to back to starboard. To get out of #1 if bow in, no issue. To get out of #2, you may find you have to spring line the boat out to make the back turn into the fairway.

Concerning the wind, i'd rather motor into the wind into the slip than have the wind push me in, and make it harder to control the boat.

sanibel sailor · 09-09-2019, 18:29

No brainer #2. Easy in, easy out. When you go for a sail and the wind builds and is too strong when you come back, much easier to manage nosing into the wind rather than getting blown into your slip sideways.

sanibel sailor · 09-09-2019, 18:31

don't forget current which has much greater effect than wind.

Dr. D · 09-09-2019, 18:34

How is the view?

We decided upon our current slip because of the view. With the boat bow-in, the stern looks out onto the opening of Rockhold Creek onto Herring Bay. In the morning and the evening we sit in the cockpit and enjoy the scenery.

Yes, when we are underway we have the best of views. But enjoying being in the slip is great.

AKA-None · 09-09-2019, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by sesmith

If you are docking bow in, I would pick #1. If your boat handles like mine, prop walk will allow you to back to port but make it almost impossible to back to starboard. To get out of #1 if bow in, no issue. To get out of #2, you may find you have to spring line the boat out to make the back turn into the fairway.

Concerning the wind, i'd rather motor into the wind into the slip than have the wind push me in, and make it harder to control the boat.

And vis a vis is rather not have the wind hitting me in the back trying to get out and pushing me sideways perpendicular to the dock and other boats.