I've sailed in and out of Marina slips more than once, usually because of engine misbehavior. Our first little "cruising boat" was an Able 20, which I powered with a rebuilt British Seagull outboard that we referred to as "Cornwallis' revenge" . The Seagull was so finicky that we got used to sailing in and out of our slip at the Navy Marina in Newport. My wife even considered prohibiting me from trying to start the Seagull because it involved using language that was unsuitable for the children.

When I first owned "Invincible Summer" our Alberg 35, it had an old Albin 2 Banger diesel installed that usually required a healthy shot of ether to start. I think it had a built in sensor that caused it to shut down whenever is sensed the final leg of our approach to the slip in Willoughby Spit, Norfolk. Made for some exciting landings.