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.