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Boat Docking (Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft) Paperback – September 9, 1997

by Charles T. Low (Illustrator)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 34 ratings
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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.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    90 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harvey Island Enterprises
  4. Publication date
    September 9, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    7 x 0.25 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0968232701
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0968232705
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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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.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvey Island Enterprises; First Canadian. edition (September 9, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 90 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0968232701
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0968232705
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.25 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 34 ratings

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
34 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Stephanie Sikora
5.0 out of 5 stars Boat Docking
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2010
Verified Purchase
Having purchased a new boat with twin screws, I found this book clear, precise, and very helpful in teaching me how to maneuver my new boat. After reading it completely, I felt more confident when docking. I recommend it to anyone who is thinking of purchasing a boat with two engines. It really is quite different to handle and dock than a single engine boat.
One person found this helpful
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Courtland
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Content -- Very Poor Binding
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2004
Verified Purchase
This book contained what I thought was very good information. It was presented in a clear, concise manner, but a little too brief in some instances. The binding however was so poor that the book completely fell apart before I got through with Chapter 2. The rating is solely for content, not construction.
11 people found this helpful
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VIVI
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative!
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2010
Verified Purchase
My husband loved this book. We had just purchased a boat and he was getting used to docking which isn't easy so I bought this for him. he read it over the weekend and said he actually learned from it. This book and practice...makes perfect.
One person found this helpful
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AV Buff
2.0 out of 5 stars Primarily for East Coast docking, not much on West Coast style slips
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is not what I expected at all. The whole book talks about docking with East Coast style slips. No where does it help or discuss about docking in close quarters docking where ever slip holds a single boat, as with most west coast harbors. Getting a boat in a single boat slip can be very stressful and has its own set of problems to deal with.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but a little dated
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2012
Verified Purchase
This is a well written boot with lots of good insight, but it's almost entirely centered around inboard driven boats. It does try to explain how an I/O might be different, but somehow I spent all my time trying to translate the inboard instructions to how an IO might act. Add a duoprop to your IO and now you're translating even more. This book needs an update to reflect the equipment owned my the majority of recreational boaters these days.
4 people found this helpful
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Rollin Randall
5.0 out of 5 stars Complete.
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
Excellent description, photos and types of use.
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John P
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Tips For Boaters
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2011
Verified Purchase
Boating for about 40 years...still never hurts to pick up tips or see another perspective on how to do things on the water. Nobody knows everything, this book is a great refresher for those that thought they did.
One person found this helpful
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R. T. Martinez
4.0 out of 5 stars Useful
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2010
Verified Purchase
Useful for both the new and experienced boater. Practical guide to learning new concepts and skills and helps reinforce acquired and intuitive skills. Written in a non-technical and personable style.
RM
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Top reviews from other countries

Fact before fiction
4.0 out of 5 stars better than another fender
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book covers a lit of ground at quite a pace and I like it for that, it isn't the sort of book that one could take aboard as a quick reference, the binding is poor and the material is not quick to find if conditions are dictating use of an unfamiliar or new technique, I would love to have seen a bunch of exercises to help me and my partner learn how to work the boat and together, read in combination with stress free sailing I feel a lot better about taking my new and first 38foot yacht out to new marinas. I was going to say the price is a bit steep but it costs less than a good fender and is if i read and act upon the knowledge likely to save me considerably more than even a fender could over a lifetime of sailing.
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