Stephen Baker wrote:
Wayne B says:


I've found that the secret to backing a sailboat is to give it a quick
burst of reverse power while still in open water. Get enough speed in
reverse, usually 1 or 2 knots will suffice, that you have water
flowing over the keel and rudder. At that point, take the engine out
of gear and let the boat coast backward under its own momentum. It
should now respond to steering just as if
you were moving forward.


I find the best way is to get the "going forward" part just right, so that
reverse is used only to take way off the boat so you can step gently onto the
pierhead with your bow/stern line at the perfect moment. An admiring audience
of curvaceous females who appreciate the art never hurts here.

It doesn't always work like that in practice, however... ;-)

Steve

When docking a boat, head into the dock, a kick ahead on the engine, is
used for:
1. To increase/decrease rudder effectiveness.
2. To increase headway

...... a kick astern is used for:
1. To make use of prop walk in steering
2. To reduce headway

When docking a boat, stern first into the dock, a kick astern on the
engine is used for:
1. To make use of propwalk to increase/decrease rate of turn.
2. To increase sternway

...... a kick ahead is used for:
1. To make use of the rudder to move the stern opposite to the direction
of the propwalk.
2. To decrease sternway.

Notice, I'm saying a "kick" ahead/astern. Any use of the throttle, means
you screwed up the docking, 90% of the time, for one reason or another
(misread wind/current/turning rate/speed).

Are these rules written in stone? HELL NO!!! These are basic rules, to
work WITH, to think about as you maneuver, so you have a basis to judge
how well your maneuver went.
If you are moving astern, fast enough to have steering with your rudder
(even on a sailboat) you are probably moving astern too fast (NOTE, I
said PROBABLY).
The most important line you will PROBABLY use when docking, is a spring
line (either the "fwd after spring" or the "aft forward spring") which
should be run from a point 1/3rd of the way aft of the bow, to a point
midships, or 1/3rd of the way fwd of the stern, to a point midships, but
only if necessary, right AT the bow or stern.

Let the games begin!!

otn