Boat Docking (Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft)

Boat Docking (Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft) is a book about how to dock a boat!

It contains many concrete examples of boat docking, from the elementary to the advanced, and also has chapters discussing the theory of close quarters maneuvering. The book is comprehensive, yet achieves its depth using language and tone which are accessible and minimally technical.

Although Boat Docking can be read through from start to finish, each of its various sections also stands alone, so items of interest may be referred to individually.

Boat Docking contains an "Overview" section, followed by a chapter describing every basic docking example imaginable, and most of the esoteric ones. Other chapters explain the interactions of the hull with water and air, how a boat steers (it's not completely straightforward!), how to use lines and fenders (there is more to good line work than one would think), and then there is a short section on the psychology and sociology of docking. Don't worry, it's fun to read! The conclusion draws an intriguing parallel between boat docking and affairs of the heart, using an extended metaphor on "close quarters maneuvering"!

If there's anything important to say about close quarters maneuvering, you'll find it in Boat Docking.

Charles T. Low, the author of Boat Docking, is a recreational boater in the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River. He and his young family spend most of their summer vacations, weekends, and many evenings, on the water. Charles likes the beauty and tranquility of the islands, and also enjoys boating -- an excellent match of process and product!

Boat Docking was born of the frustration he encountered when first learning how to dock his boat. It started as informal research on the subject, with information culled from a number of sources. Now, it has grown into this more formal study of the skills required for close quarters maneuvering, and their underlying foundations, in terms accessible to every boater.

Charles has a busy and challenging day job, which is a good thing, except that it interferes too much with his boating!