Sure, having the necessary docklines and fenders, and being familiar with how your boat handles in tight quarters are all important parts of docking. However, the first rule of docking, regardless of the craft you’re piloting or the gear on board, is always “never approach the dock faster than you’re willing to hit it.” Some boaters spend so much time driving automobiles that oftentimes they probably expect boats to stop just as quickly. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case, and it usually takes one good whack on a dock for that lesson to be remembered.
