[Gerry Zagorski]

If your boat has an outboard and you are on a fixed peer that likely means you will be forced to enter the boat from the bow. The reason is you want to keep the outboards tilted up to keep them out of the water. This usally creates a large gap between your stern and boarding ladder. That's why most people with outboards on fixed peers tie bow in and board on the bow of the boat. Having said that, it is pretty tricky and much less convienient to board a boat from the bow.

For this reason, floating docks with peers between the boats is definately the preference for outboard boats since you can board from the side. And you don't have to worry about the tide swing either.

If your boat is an inboard, fixed docks and a stern in tie up is fine although at low tide it can still be a little tricky climbing down the ladder and boarding the boat.