I was going to say you haven't met us then Andrew but wait a minute, you have!!
Seriously though there may be something in that. In the many years we've been out in winter I really can't recall having any problems with other boaters. Odd brush with a fisherman but even they are thinner on the ground and there's plenty of mooring space anyway.
Of course there are fewer people out, I suppose statistically there will be less problems. But that is why we love it so much, particularly in December. Its utterly stress free.
I take Neil's point about Loddon. Actually we do the same and moor stern on. Several reasons, habit and the rise and fall is greater. As we usually are on an Alphacraft of some description there is a large area of deck over the gas locker which is handy for Mrs Nog to step down on particularly when she's had a glass of sherry Also you don't know what is likely to come down the Chet. Its a sheltered spot so I don't bother with the mud weight particularly for a DTS.
I take Alan's point too, I can't say I've actually seen that barge around in summer, so its not actually causing a problem as such. I'm still not going to argue with it though!