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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Is this dock better or worse?

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/08/2012 : 18:13:53

Hi all,

I might have an opportunity to get a "preferred" dock in my marina. "Preferred" because it's an end dock. I wouldn't mind moving because my neighbor has a Hunter 26, and with our two boats being so wide, it can make coming into the dock a bit of a white knuckle experience if the wind is up. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen. The picture below shows my marina. My existing dock is in the red circle. The possible new dock is in the green circle. My concern with the new dock is when I come in. If I mis-judge it, I'm worried I could easily drift into the boat sharing that dock with me. Is there a different docking technique that would reasonably allow me to safely dock the boat in windy conditions without endangering either boat?

Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 18:30:28

Two benefits I see is the wide area of approach and the option to abort an approach that goes awry. I'd be tempted to sail into that dock space!

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 18:32:24

I wouldn't say its better. Depending on what's beyond our view, it may be more open to wind/waves. Seems exposed.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 18:33:50

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 18:51:49

Looks like a lot of open cockpits? day sailers? Or sail covers perhaps.

Edited by - OJ on 02/08/2012 18:53:51

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 20:23:21

What is out of our view? The open area of the lake? From what direction are the prevailing winds? From what direction do the storms come from? Is there a breakwater? Issues with boat wakes?

Your existing slip looks well protected. The new one looks wide open, at least from that picture.

However, I would be tempted because:

1. Privacy. When overnighting in the slip, people won't be walking by.
2. I'd sail in/out of that slip.
3. Nice view! Relaxing in the cockpit with a great view rather than surrounded by other boats.

It's hard to say just looking at that picture.

Never, ever, approach a dock faster than you're willing to hit it. Same advice for approaching another boat.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 20:48:10

Joe asked my questions... (...and repeated my admonition!) For docking, the new spot should be much less risky--with a little practice, you can practically move sideways into it. Another option, if you want to eliminate the possibility of hitting the neighbor, is to approach left-to-right in the picture, whether bow first or stern first. But I can hardly see the need.

The biggest question in my mind is chop (wind or wake) coming in from the top of the picture, which could be "working" your boat against the dock. If that appears to be an issue, I would suggest "ball" fenders instead of tubular ones.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 20:50:27

I would turn it down.

Having been on a T-end, there were a few things that were a big enough PITA for me, that I would much rather be lost in a parking spot halfway along. The biggest issue is that you will have to walk a long ways further than you do now everytime you go to theboat.With a cooler. Or a toolbox. Or dragging the (grand)kids or dog. And you will have a lot more chats along the way. We found that we lost a lot of time when we were way out there.

Docking was not an issue, but you have to be sure that both you and the other boat have good springlines. Exposure to teh wind/waves was a problem for us a couple times, but our location was pretty protected, except for traffic heading down the gallery to their slips. You are going to be waked by every. single. one. of. them.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 20:52:07

Ben's at the [url="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1C1SNNT_enUS359US369&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=11872l13213l1l13869l5l5l0l0l0l1l374l1607l2-2.3l5l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=667&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=columbus+ohio+marinas&fb=1&gl=us&hq=marinas&hnear=0x883889c1b990de71:0xe43266f8cfb1b533,Columbus,+OH&ei=_j8zT__tCYqAgweHloX9AQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CBQQtgM&iwloc=cids:6290590150119068810"]Alum Creek Sailing Club[/url].

Edited by - on

dmpilc
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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 21:12:13

I agree that it looks exposed to open water/winds. Is there any chance you could swap slips with someone who has a smaller boat than yours, say a 20-22 footer?

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2012 : 21:13:55

I was going to make the same comments as Prospector. When my parents had their boat, we were out at the far end of a fairly long dock, and it is a HIKE to take stuff the extra distance, especially if your marina (or you) doesn't have a dock cart or two at your disposal. Also, looking at the Google Maps view of the marina, that's on the main entrance/exit way for the marina. I'd be a little concerned about being in that particular spot just because of the relatively large number of boats that will be going by compared to other locations. But that's just me, and I'm still very new, so you're probably better off relying on the comments of the others!

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2012 : 04:27:49

May not fully apply to your docking space areas but I have following opinions to consider:

End Of Dock Spaces:

Benefits - Offer a scenic view of waterway - Sometimes these areas are suitable for putting a lounge chair on the main dock, Closest to getting in & out, furthest from marina entrance and if no security gate then it is less prone to theft, you may be able to have a party on the end with buddies rafting/docking adjacent to you...

Disadvantages - Further to walk & bring supplies onboard, subject to more wave & wake action, More prone to theft from those approaching from the waterway, more boats have to go past you to get in and out and where there is more boat movement then there is perhaps more chance of a boat hitting yours though possibly this is even more likely for an accident on the inner slips if the clearances are tight between opposite and adjacent slips

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2012 : 07:42:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 Ben's at the [url="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1C1SNNT_enUS359US369&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=11872l13213l1l13869l5l5l0l0l0l1l374l1607l2-2.3l5l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=667&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=columbus+ohio+marinas&fb=1&gl=us&hq=marinas&hnear=0x883889c1b990de71:0xe43266f8cfb1b533,Columbus,+OH&ei=_j8zT__tCYqAgweHloX9AQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CBQQtgM&iwloc=cids:6290590150119068810"]Alum Creek Sailing Club[/url].
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">OK, there's no appreciable fetch. (It's about 3/4 mi. south of Alum Creek Marina in Don's link.) Just exposure to wakes, but the aerial view suggests there are only sailboats in there, so wakes should be minimal.

Ben, I think this one is your call from here...

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 02/09/2012 07:48:53

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
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Response Posted - 02/09/2012 : 08:58:53

Okay...looking at the link with a better view...the extra walking distance is nominal so a push there. You're back in the creek so good there.

Is the creek a "No Wake Zone"? I'd be concerned about overnighters and lunch hook folks coming in/out of the creek throwing wakes at me.

The view is better than being in the parking lot, and you can watch all the boats come and go.

I'd motor over there and tie up. Hang out for a bit, walk to your car and back, just try it out for a while and see.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2012 : 10:12:10

Was looking at Don's link and the pics just didn't match up so I got on Google earth and found Ben's place. Right next door at the [url="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1C1SNNT_enUS359US369&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=11872l13213l1l13869l5l5l0l0l0l1l374l1607l2-2.3l5l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=667&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=columbus%20ohio%20marinas&fb=1&gl=us&hq=marinas&hnear=0x883889c1b990de71:0xe43266f8cfb1b533,Columbus,%20OH&ei=_j8zT__tCYqAgweHloX9AQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CBQQtgM&iwloc=cids:6290590150119068810"]Alum Creek Sailing club[/url]
There's no fetch at all, very protected.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2012 : 11:05:53

Wow, I'm feeling very exposed all of the sudden at Davis Hollow Marina, OS19

This thread reminds me of the following articles.

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/05/143144146/drone-technology-finding-its-way-to-american-skies

http://www.npr.org/2012/02/03/146350507/drone-technology-reaches-new-heights

Right outside your window starting in 2015!

Edited by - OJ on 02/09/2012 11:19:44

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2012 : 11:07:04

So, Ben, have we left anything out?

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2012 : 11:39:17

Nauti Duck's Dock-O-Matic

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Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2012 : 18:08:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 Was looking at Don's link and the pics just didn't match up so I got on Google earth and found Ben's place. Right next door at the [url="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1C1SNNT_enUS359US369&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=11872l13213l1l13869l5l5l0l0l0l1l374l1607l2-2.3l5l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=667&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=columbus%20ohio%20marinas&fb=1&gl=us&hq=marinas&hnear=0x883889c1b990de71:0xe43266f8cfb1b533,Columbus,%20OH&ei=_j8zT__tCYqAgweHloX9AQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CBQQtgM&iwloc=cids:6290590150119068810"]Alum Creek Sailing club[/url]
There's no fetch at all, very protected.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah. his docks are south of the linked marina in the OP.

Edited by - Joe Diver on 02/09/2012 18:09:26

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2012 : 23:04:25

[url="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=columbus+ohio+marinas&hl=en&ll=40.199548,-82.97419&spn=0.003421,0.006325&fb=1&gl=us&hq=marinas&hnear=Columbus,+Franklin,+Ohio&t=h&fll=40.199548,-82.97419&fspn=0.003421,0.006325&z=18"]Here it is[/url]

Paul

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2012 : 05:46:16

Thanks guys, I guess there really is no additional difficulty being there on the end, I just have to practice docking and make sure my spring lines are in good shape.

To answer your question, OJ, about open cockpits; almost all the boats there in the marina are similar in style to our C25/250s. There are a bunch of C22, a handful of C25s, a few C27s, Hunters and Precisions of various sizes, and some other similar sailboats.

The cove there is a no-wake zone, so usually it's not too bad unless some yahoo comes in fast. We do get a TON of powerboaters of almost every size. The reservoir has no horsepower limit, and the yahoos from the Big City come play with their cigarette boats (or whatever you call them) on the water with us. Alum Creek Reservoir, as small as it is, has more boating accidents than any other body of water in Ohio other than Lake Erie. In the summer time, it is utilized much more than it was designed for.

I'm still on the fence, because I really like my existing spot. And unfortunately if I pull the trigger and take the spot, there's no going back.

Thanks again. I have some time still to noodle on it, the Dock Pick/Swap Day isn't until March 10.

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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1218 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2012 : 07:35:12

Like I said.....sail over there and tie up. Hang out for a while. Try it out.

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2012 : 08:40:06

Joe, my boat's in winter storage right now. There's no way to try it out.

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Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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1218 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2012 : 08:59:10

Ahh....I'm in Texas...I forget other people have "winter".....

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2012 : 14:03:33

Dock with a breast

line attached to a mid ships clear, perhaps on a track and tie up at your leisure. I have no preference, a dock is a dock.

Sten

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