1. Get some boat fenders to protect your boat.
2. Get a better slip (no easy way to dock when the wind is pushing you
away).
3. If you must keep this slip, you really need someone to catch for you.
Nearly impossible to pull up to the slip (assuming the dock is on the
passenger side) and jump over to the dock and hold on when the wind is
pushing you away.

You could try backing in to get you on the dock side to help but still a
problem. Best advice, don't be afraid to use reverse and power to move the
boat quickly. Come in upwind pushing the boat into the dock (w/ the fender)
and then grab the dock.

Tony


"Jesse Dinkin" wrote in message
...
I just started boating this season(18 ft bowrider) . Never driven a boat
before. Not ever. I've been out maybe 10 times on a large lake in upstate
NY. The lake often is rough even on a sunny day. We rent a slip on the end
of a dock which extends straight out into the lake at a right angle to the
shore. The space that I have is the one on the very end, on the lakeside
of
the cutout that I share with another boat. The other boat is on the shore
side and generally has the waves pushing him into the dock as he pulls in.
I, on the other hand, am usually being pushed away from the dock toward
the
other boat by the waves and the wind. Today was unbelievably difficult. My
docking is really ugly. I have this brand new boat that I keep hitting the
edge of the dock with. I also realized today that by being on the end of
the
dock I have less protection than any other boat. This seems like a very
difficult challenge for such a newbie as me.......does anyone agree with
this assessment. When I go to dock anywhere else it's much easier, the
open
dock where I buy gas or enclosed spaces where the water is not as rough. I
thought about asking for another dock space but I hate to give up on the
challenge of the space that I have.....I just dont want to do anymore
damage
to the boat than I've done already.