SMALL-CRAFT HARBORS: DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION 



by 

 James W. Dunham and Arnold A. Finn 



I. INTRODUCTION 



The objective of this report is to enable anyone with a basic engineering background, 

 aided by other general engineering handbooks, to plan and design a small-craft harbor, or to 

 do so with the help of one or more specialists. The report outUnes methods of investigating 

 the problems involved and the various engineering, economic, and environmental criteria to 

 be applied. It also points out the technical areas in which the assistance of specialists is 

 needed and the kinds of information they are capable of supplying. 



The size, shape, meteorological environment, and hydrauUc characteristics of the body of 

 navigable water to which access by boat is to be provided usually dictate the requirements 

 for many of the harbor features, including the entrance, the interior facihties, and any 

 special protective works needed to deflect currents or dissipate wave energy. Harbors along 

 the open seacoast require protection far in excess of that required for harbors naturally 

 protected in bays, rivers, and small lakes. Floating boat sUps in areas of extremely large tidal 

 range and in reservoirs subject to large seasonal water level fluctuations must be anchored 

 differently than those in lakes and along the seacoast where water level fluctuations are only 

 a few feet. Therefore, a major purpose of this report is to provide the designer with the 

 means for selecting the right site, developing the most functional layout plan, providing 

 adequate protection, and installing the proper facihties for the water area served. 



Local weather is an important factor to consider. Winds frequently reach hurricane 

 proportions in some regions, but seldom exceed gale force in others; snow or ice complicate 

 planning for some regions, whereas the hot sun is the only problem in others. Thus, another 

 objective of this report is to show the designer how to cope with the specific weather 

 problems of the region, e.g., the rigorous cUmate of Alaska or the mild climate of the 

 subtropics. 



Environmental factors, including ecology, and related effects on economic analysis are 

 beginning to have a much greater impact upon engineering design. Hence, this study includes 

 a discussion of financing marinas and ensuring their economic sufficiency, of limitations 

 imposed by laws and ordinances, and of environmental considerations (U.S. Army, Corps of 

 Engineers, 1972). 



Some of the terms used in this report may be unfamiliar to the reader or may have 

 different meanings here than elsewhere. A glossary is presented in Appendix A to show the 

 intended definition of each word or term that might otherwise be misconstrued. 



If engineering assistance with the design of a smaU-craft facihty is desired, see the current 

 publications by The National Association of Engine and Boat Manufacturers (NAEBM) and 



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