Boat Docking: (Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0968232701 ISBN 13: 9780968232705

Publisher: Harvey Island Enterprises, 1997

Synopsis

Boat Docking is a 90 page, soft cover book with 140 illustrations. It 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, how to use lines and fenders, 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"! This distillation of information is not, to the author's 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. If there's anything important to say about close quarters maneuvering, you'll find it in Boat Docking.

About this title

Review

"...my girlfriend is reading first, and is very interested in the contents." - -- George H., Massachusets

"...will help (my wife and I) come to grips with the intricacies of boat docking. The style of the writing is wonderful and the examples quite useful." - -- John B., Michigan

"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. Maloney, Chapman Piloting and Seamanship

"Charles - received your book late last week. WOW. Some of the techniques you have outlined I have known, but you do such a fantastic job in explaining the physics behind why they work or won't work. As an addition, your section on tie ups with respect to docking I found invaluable... Thank you, Charles, for taking the time to implant your wisdom and experience for those of us who need it." -- John H., Colorado

"I am impressed with the scope of the book - I don't know of another with this treatment at the same level." -- Tim Ridge, New Zealand, Boat Books Ltd.

"I heartily recommend picking up a copy of this book. You'll be able to thrill the 'dockwatchers' (you know the ones I mean) with your handling prowess and become the envy of everyone in your marina... It is really very well written. You have a way of making 'obtuse' concepts understandable, and explaining why boats behave as they might." Bob F., Missouri -- Bob F., Missouri

"I really like it! ... I am quite impressed. It is very well put together. Very attractive format and excellent graphics ... I like the whole premise of the book ... I think your book hits the mark." -- Wayne M. Hope, NavAid computer program, Alberta

"I would have sent this message sooner but I could not put the book down. Your book is definitely a winner... The way you have explained the many factors and procedures is a real enjoyable learning experience." - -- Jack H., West Virginia

"Not only is it how to but it explains a lot of why the boat handles the way it does in given situations. Nice job. I particularly like the sense of humor it was written with... I'm on my second read and... I've learned a lot from it." - -- Eric S., California

About the Author

Charles T. Low, the author of Boat Docking, is a recreational boater in the world famous Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence River. He, with family and friends, spends most of his summer vacation, 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! Charles writes: "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 out of that grew Boat Docking!"

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvey Island Enterprises
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0968232701
• ISBN 13: 9780968232705
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Low Charles T.
• Edition number: 1