Practical Seamanship / Boat Systems

Basic docking geometry

Before the final approach:

rig lines

place fenders

brief crew

identify wind and current

identify the intended stopping point

know which line should go ashore first

Approach at the minimum speed required to retain adequate control.

Do not use hands, feet or legs as fenders between boat and dock.

Prop walk, outdrive steering, jet-drive response, pod drives, twin engines and sailboat keel/rudder behavior differ, so no universal docking-turn diagram should imply otherwise.

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