1. Speed - Keep your speed to a minimum to allow for more than one possible
maneuver.

2. Steering - At slow speeds, steering ahead is accomplish with high angles of
rudder and short, low rpm kicks of the engine. A kick astern will also give a
steering component due to prop walk - learn to use this.

3. If you can rig one line, ashore, that you can easily grab and make fast at
some point close to your maneuvering station, learn what effect various
maneuvers have on your boat at various angles of this line, to help you come
alongside and hold to the dock.

4. Wander around your Marina and watch others dock. Learn from their mistakes
and good ideas, and if you see someone who seems to make it look easy, ask them
to give you some help with your boat.

5. Always watch for wind and current advantages and/or disadvantages and learn
to use them.

6. Take your time, practice ..... boat handling is the art of correcting the
boats tendency to do what you don't want it to do, or not do what you do want
it to do.

Shen