Boat Docking (Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft) [Paperback]

Charles T. Low (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0968232701 | ISBN-13: 978-0968232705 | Publication Date: September 9, 1997

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Any boater - well, almost any - can handle his boat reasonably well in open waters. The real crunch comes when he or she has to bring the craft into a pier or wharf. Boat Docking may be a small volume, but it contains a wealth of information on docking and undocking a boat.

"Detailed procedures covering a wide variety of situations are followed by a thorough explanation of the forces and effects of wind, current, and propeller action - even experienced skippers can learn from this book." (Elbert S. "Mack" Maloney, USMC, Col. (Ret.), editor and author of Chapman Piloting) -- Elbert S. "Mack" Maloney, USMC, Col. (Ret.), editor and author

From the Author

Here's what Charles has to say about writing Boat Docking: What a thrill and a joy it was for me to rediscover boating in early adulthood, and how discouraging, then, not to be able to dock the blessed boat (or at least, not consistently)! It was soon apparent that I was not alone! So, armed with my background in the sciences, I set about to see what I could learn about close quarters boat handling, and was somewhat surprised when, as the years went by, I realized that I was writing a book!

The research has taken many paths. Foremost among them were i) experimentation, and ii) verbal advice from experienced, accomplished boaters. There have also been the excellent Power Squadron courses, as well as untold hours of reading many of the conventional (and "un-") text sources on small craft handling.

The distillation that has resulted is not, to my knowledge, reproduced elsewhere. This book is tightly focused only on slow-speed handling of small craft, and as such it is very complete and thorough. It has an excellent balance of technical analysis and practical boat-docking recipes.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 90 pages
• Publisher: Harvey Island Enterprises (September 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0968232701
• ISBN-13: 978-0968232705
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #608,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too much extra stuff, not enough docking, July 17, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boat Docking (Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft) (Paperback)

Bought the book to get detailed help docking my sailboat in challenging wind/current/space situations. I was especially interested in clever ways to 'warp' in under power with spring lines etc. The book was a disapointment: lots of stuff about coming _alongside_ a dock -- a very rare thing in my experience with crowded, finger-piered marinas. Very little about pilings in wind and current, almost nothing about warping.

You will pick useful nuggets that make the book worth the price, but for practical tips on touch situations Chapman's Seamanship and Small Boat Piloting has way more info.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book, April 18, 2001

By 

S. Young (Dennis, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boat Docking (Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft) (Paperback)

As a relatively new boater docking into a slip in a crowded marina on a calm day let alone a windy one has been at times a most intimidating experience. Dr. Low's book is an easy and fun read filled with lots of practical advice and good humor. I quickly realized I was not alone with my anxiety about docking and have learned much from the author's experience. Comments relative to the psychological issues were just as helpful as the mechanical aspects. I highly recommend this book.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great reference..., July 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Boat Docking (Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft) (Paperback)

The book delivers exactly what it advertises, boat docking fundamentals for small vessels. There is ample discussion for nearly every situation you might encounter. The author claims it makes a handy reference; it does. Understandable and concise. Can be used as a handy reference for a particular situation or read and digested entirely in an evening.(Makes a good read late winter/Spring just before boating season begins) While geared more towards the "marina sailor" it is a compact and thorough review of the subject without undue technical dissection of the physics at work. If you want a readable, no-nonsense book that covers the topic; this is the one for you. As the author points out, practice is the key to using the techniques discussed in the book. Applicable to power or sail, more capstan/windlass coverage is available in traditional sailing books such as Chapman's. Recommended!