Docking next to Bulkhead

[Misterhelms]

I’ve recently acquired a SR 340 and am looking for a new marina to keep it over the summer. We have found a place that we really like, but the only slip available is right next to the bulkhead. I am wondering if there is a reason why this slip is available? Is there anything I should be aware of before putting down a $2k non-refundable deposit? The slip can accommodate a 50 foot, but they are giving me a rate for a 40 foot slip.

 

[Blueone]

I side tie..... I prefer to be between pylons but not a big deal to me. I have uprights so my rubrail is against them with a thin fender mounted to the upright... so rub rail is against something soft. Depending on the wind determines if you are up against or not. My setup is a floating dock

 

[Misterhelms]

Same here. It’s a pretty wide slip so I’ll have plenty of space - just want to be sure I’m not missing anything before we pull the trigger.

 

[Misterhelms]

I side tie..... I prefer to be between pylons but not a big deal to me. I have uprights so my rubrail is against them with a thin fender mounted to the upright... so rub rail is against something soft. Depending on the wind determines if you are up against or not. My setup is a floating dock

Also - forgot to mention that there’s a finger dock between the bulkhead and the boat.

 

[Robert A]

I have a bulkhead slip. When other boats come down the fairway, pass their slip to about midships and then back right in, I think, "I wish I had it that easy".

 

[Misterhelms]

I have a bulkhead slip. When other boats come down the fairway, pass their slip to about midships and then back right in, I think, "I wish I had it that easy".

So that’s really the issue - having to turn it on a dime and hope the wind doesn’t push you into the wall

 

[Tacoma290]

I am at the end of a fairway and tie to the dock next to the bulkhead. So easy to dock single handed. Just drive down the fairway, aim for the dock, induce a spin, and step off like captain Ron.
The only downside is that my boat is the first boat seen from the land, and always wonder if that makes me a target but that's not been a problem so far. I think it helps that I have made fast friends with the live aboards near me and they are all well armed.
The upside is that the walk from the boat to the car is minimized.

 

[Robert A]

So that’s really the issue - having to turn it on a dime and hope the wind doesn’t push you into the wall

It can be tricky if the weather is not cooperating. Especially with a single engine like mine.

 

[sbw1]

With a bulkhead slip it depends on how the marina is set up. Some of these slips are great and some are awful. If you are at the end of a fairway and the prevailing wind is pushing you against the wall, it can be difficult to leave the slip even for an experienced skipper. If you have slips on your stern and bow, inexperienced skippers can run into your boat trying to make the turn into either of these slips on a windy day. Some skippers manage to do this even with no wind. The best bulk head set up is the wind is usually on your nose in fair weather and there are no other slips near by that people with little skills may be using. When we cruise, I normally refuse a wall tie unless it is relatively open and all the other boats are tied to the wall with no slips nearby. The other consideration is where does the wind come from during a storm? Does it hit your beam and push you against the wall making it impossible to sleep? Unprotected bulkheads can be awful in storms. The ideal set up is a well with a four way tie and the boat sprung fore and aft.

 

[sbw1]

Here is an example of a wall tie that works nicely. It is protected from storms in each direction and there are no slips close to it. It's one of our favorite places to park when we are in Harbor Springs. If it's available the harbor master saves it for us on the day we plan to arrive.

 

[brewster16]

I have a few observations... Let me just say that for the first time this past year I took the T-head end slip. I love access to the entire length of my boat! I love not only the access, but I can actually see the entire boat for the first time.... and it looks awesome. You just don't get that when your slipped into a space with boats next to you. Another great feature is that you don't have neighboring boats on all sides of you. And, in my case the unobscured view means A LOT to me. The downside is that if there isn't a set of pilings and it's just the dock, when the wind is pushing your boat into that dock you need to protect the hull. In my case it's blue and gleaming so I'm especially careful to have a set of high quality fender covers and a large round fender to hold the boat off the dock. As stated above the wind can also work against you in trying to get out of the slip. A bow thruster is your friend in this scenario! Finally, if your talking about a seawall or bulkhead that is deep in the marina a lot of debris, garbage and slime can accumulate in that corner and you may have traffic, noise or nosey folks walking by. Lastly, what about lights? If there are bright, glaring street lights or security lights shining into that slip...that would be a HUGE issue for me! Hope all this helps..

 

[Blueone]

This is similar to what I have...vertical 4x6 posts mounted to a floating dock. I then mounted fenders to the posts like these. That way it’s just my bow rail against the post in a south wind.
I had fenders against the hull for a short period but no matter what I did they would scratch

 

[Express 390]

I’ve recently acquired a SR 340 and am looking for a new marina to keep it over the summer. We have found a place that we really like, but the only slip available is right next to the bulkhead. I am wondering if there is a reason why this slip is available? Is there anything I should be aware of before putting down a $2k non-refundable deposit? The slip can accommodate a 50 foot, but they are giving me a rate for a 40 foot slip.

Maybe a set of whips would help keep you off the wall if the Marina will allow you to install them!

 

[Misterhelms]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Based off your responses, I think the wind, traffic, and debris are the primary concerns. The good thing is that there is a dock finger between the bulkhead and where the boat would be, so it’s not right up against the bulkhead. The space in the below pic is where the boat would go.

 

[Blueone]

Well that’s perfect....you can do a 4 point tie and not be worried about being up against the finger

 

[M Prod]

Looks like a great slip at a nice facility to me. Grats on the 340 ..you’ll love it.

 

[Jaybeaux]

Easy peasy...especially with the twins.

 

[Skip Boyer]

We have a slip very similar to what you are looking at. Pros; short walk to parking lot, we have finger on both sides, (only slip like that here) etc. Con; the aluminum catwalk starts getting noisy about one or two am when people are departing in a less than sober state. LOL

 

[M Prod]

The only drawback i see is it won’t take long for you to develop boat envy with that Riviera 48 there.

 

[skibum]

That slip looks great. I'd take that one in a heartbeat. It looks well protected. And yes, those ramps can make a lot of noise. They are noisy even when no one is walking on them. I have one near my usual spot and I've learned to sleep through it after a while.