inboard right for me?

[Handful in NC]

Don't be afraid of the inboard and its different maneuverability. The suggestion to practice in all conditions is an excellent one. Once you learn what you can and cannot do in the boat, the most important thing is to plan ahead, especially in tight quarters. Avoiding trouble is a LOT easier than getting out of trouble.

I once had to dock a 46' single screw Buddy Davis on an inside finger pier at a gas dock surrounded by boats in a 20 mph cross wind and stiff current. A marlin tournament was in progress and a few hundred people were milling aound to watch. After a lot of thought, I decided on a backwards U turn to the slip (to the port of course). My crew, mosty friends and family, thought I was crazy (at least, more than normal) as this was a somewhat unorthodox approach. I don't do well in front of crowds and was as nervous as I've ever been, but we slid into place perfectly, stopping the boat a few inches from the dock and looking all professional. The funny thing is, I couldn't get out of the helm chair for several minutes. I thought wobbly knees was a figure of speech. It's not.