sherwindu wrote in
:



otnmbrd wrote:


Because your situation involves an off the dock current, for the most
part you will need to use a combination of line handling and
engine/rudder maneuvers to come up with something that works well.

I am not sure about the line handling, as it is very error prone.
The engine

and rudder might prove to minimize the problem.

Actually both are very "error prone". If you are looking for a solely
engine/rudder solution, odds are you won't find one and if you do it will
require you to precisely mimic the same engine/helm commands every time.
Howerver, since we know that every docking is different.............
Like it or not, your best solution will involve linehandling which is just
as much an art as handling the engine rudder controls.
Sorry to say, there is no simple answer to your problem.



Don't be afraid to use your line from different points on the dock as
well as the boat and be ready to "work" those lines to your
advantage. As for engine and rudder, try maximum rudder and minimum
engine first and then increase or decrease as experience teaches.
As a final thought..... don't forget your anchor...... there may be a
maneuver that could benefit from it's use.

Unless I set an anchor everytime I approach the dock, there is no
practical way to use it to advantage.

The use of an anchor, like line handling, requires some good deal of
practice to realize it's advantage (In this case it may well be overkill,
but I mentioned it purely as a possibility).

At any rate, take it slow and easy and keep an open mind to possibilities,
trying different approaches and you might come up with the "one" which
works best for you.

otn