[andrew]

Having just finished ASA 101 and buying our first boat (1988 Oday 240) this article is very timely. Our berth is the last one on the last slip at our harbor. Making the final turn to get in is one of the hardest parts of the day and I have already been guilty of the panicked “do I go forward or reverse and point the motor left or right” feeling. It went well the first two times and the third needed some reverse thrust and a turn of the motor/rudder to back up and reset. I’m inspired to practice at the open dock at the mouth of the harbor next time to see how smooth we can make the approach before doing it in the confined space now. I think a spring line with a loop sized just long enough to catch the mid cleat and not require wrapping in a hurry will be prepped too.