How Much Dock Do You Need?

[DDD]

Pulling up to a friend's or a restaurant's dock for the
day. Just a transient type of thing.

Is there something I need to know about sizing up a dock?
What is a minimum length of dock that would be okay to dock up to?

Of course, the longer the better.
But can I get away with a shorter dock than my boat length?

Thanks!
DDD

 

[electricaldoctor]

I am not quite sure what you want to hear from us, but it stands to reason that a shorter dock will have your nose hanging out beyond the end of the dock. That is fine as long as you will not be inteferring with other boating traffic. This is done quite often, so don't be afraid of this set up.

 

[PMC]

In terms of winging it, I've tied up to 75 feet of bulkhead to fit 2 40'+ boats. We tied the boats, crossing bows. No way would I do an overnight stay this way, but for a few hrs, sure.

 

[fwebster]

If it is a restaurant in a protected area, I am good if I can get the midship cleat even with the end of the dock. and that leave about 20ft of boat hanging out in the water. If I'm not blocking the waterway, putting the boat on the end of the lay along dock makes it easier to tie up and much easier to pull away from the dock when we are ready to leave. If I have to dock the whole boat along side the dock, it takes up so much space that I probably prevent at least one other boat from docking, besides, if I have to walk the boat sideways without a thruster to get away, I'll wake the crap out of everyone else.

 

[Richie89]

i have a 40' boat, so i need a good 200' of dock space, just in case i get crazy.

 

[dpmulvey]

i have a 40' boat, so i need a good 200' of dock space, just in case i get crazy.

ROFLMAO!!!

Nice to know our limitations are similar!!!

 

[juggernaut1]

i have a 40' boat, so i need a good 200' of dock space, just in case i get crazy.

Lol - I'm less optimistic when I dock!

 

[sbw1]

I prefer hanging out at the end of a dock tied against, fore and aft from the amidships cleat and then with an stern line crossed to the dock from the outside cleat on the boat. Bow out or stern out makes for an easy exit if the fairway is wide enough. As has been said, you must not block traffic. I will take any slip that is about 18" longer than our overall length. This is easy to get into by approaching the available space 90 degrees to the dock. You put your bow n the middle of the space and swing the boat into the opening once your bow pulpit is almost touching the dock. Add a little cross control with the throttles and ease it in. You need to make sure spring lines are well set so you do not move fore or aft once you are secure. You also need to pay attention to what is slipped in front of and behind you. Obviously you don't want to be in a slip that has boats nearby that are beat to heck. They got that way by running into docks and other boats.