There is certainly no doubt that there are advantages to keeping a
boat in a slip. I've been willing to pay the premium for the
convenience, even though we're gone more than half of the summer. You
can always say that *some* slips are more protected, and *some*
moorings are less protected. But one must be careful of generalities.

In my experience, most marinas are well protected, but not all. For
example, in Vineyard Haven I just spent some time on a mooring behind
the breakwater feeling quite secure. In fact, I've sat out several
gales and near miss hurricanes in that spot. The nearby marinas,
however, are not protected and generally are emptied (to unprotected
moorings!) when a Nor'easter blows up.

While some mooring fields feel like bumper ball, most have generous
spacing and frankly, I've seen (and perhaps caused) more damage from
sloppy boat handling in marinas than in mooring fields. My boat only
has a few dings, but all have been caused in a marina.

Curiously, although it would seem that getting on and off is riskier
on a mooring than on a dock, I, and my family members, have had a
number of minor injuries on docks, but none from dinghy or launch
incidents. I don't count my hurt pride from flipping the dinghy once
in Northeast Harbor!

As for being "always able to get to your boat in the worst weather,"
every time I've been in a marina for a hurricane, its been closed -
they don't want the liability of idiots walking the docks in 100 mph
winds! In fact, there are many marinas that require you to remove the
boat during major storms, presumably putting it on a mooring!



* Capt. Rob wrote, On 7/17/2007 10:45 AM:
Scotty crapped:

As for slips vs. moorings, slips can be a lot safer

TOTAL BULL ****!




No, Scotty Potty. It's not bull**** and once again you show how little
you know. A lot of sailors like Scotty walk around repeating
generalities they've heard without any practical knowledge at all.
Folks like Scotty, Martin and Doug are perfect examples of this
problem.
So here's why slips CAN BE SAFER than moorings.

1) Some moorings in high current zones take a lot of abuse and simply
take to much pounding to be of value against a well protected marina
with slips.

2) High traffic, high volume mooring fields see plenty of collisions
due to operator error and boats breaking free and playing pinball with
others.

3) If a protected marina (such as ours) never experiences weather that
can damage it, the boats are better off than those exposed on
moorings. Last years storms were a perfect example as ALL of the boats
damaged were from moorings.

4) Boats in slips will see more regular maintenance due to the
accessibility. Gear is kept cleaner. Safer boat.

5) In 25 knots winds a mooring field can be a handful and transferring
to a dinghy or launch difficult and dangerous. Older folks will be at
risk along with children. Our protected slips see about half that much
wind on most days, so it's far easier and safer.

6) Slips are usually protected by one or more breakwaters, leaving the
boats calm and not straining most of the time. Moored boats see far
more wave action and lines, standing rigging and steering systems take
a pounding.

7) You can ALWAYS get to your boat even in the worst weather when you
have well designed and located slips like ours.

8) ALL lightening strikes in our area (and there are plenty) are on
the boats that are moored.

So there you have it. This does not apply to all areas. There are
plenty of spots where slips are downright risky and a mooring is a lot
smarter, but on City Island, Port Washington and other popular
sailboat spots, slips are like gold. I won't even get into how much
more use we get out of the boat because of a slip, or how much better
it is when Thomas' grandparents come along. And if Suzanne and I want
privacy the club maintains moorings as well, which can be used by
members. The best of both worlds.
One by one, when they could afford it, my friends have moved to slips
and the mooring damage cycle has ended.


RB
35s5
NY