In article 1116692195.812da04f9fcd21d86bdcaa70bd4a0e9e@teran ews,
"Richard Kaplan" wrote:

I just finished my second 3-day instruction/charter cruise on a
motorboat -- last year with my family on a 42 foot single-engine
trawler with side thrusters and this year on a 54 foot twin-engine
Bluewater. I feel I have learned quite a bit and the
bookwork/charts/navigation/systems are not a problem but I am left
puzzled regarding a good plan to gain proficiency docking in a
variety of current/wind/dock layout situations. Short of bringing a
captain with me on lots of these trips, what is a reasonable plan and
set of personal limits? Is there docking "simulator" software
available to help? What guidelines do you have for when you feel
ready to handle a given boat?

As usual, practice, practice, practice, as every boat handles
differently. Safest is to throw something that floats out in a quiet
place and come up to it under various conditions.

Expect conditions to be more difficult when you return and you won't
often be disappointed.

What type of boat would you suggest initially if the goal is to
cruise the intercoastal with a family of 5?

Personally, I'd go for smaller rather than larger for a multitude of
reasons. 50+ feet is a LOT of boat. Beyond that, it's personal choice
and you will have 5 or more opinions to reconcile.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/