How To Dock a Powerboat

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When you come in to dock your powerboat, you can feel the eyes of the marina - all staring right at you. Will you end up looking like a competent captain, or a Gilligan? That all depends on whether or not you know these powerboat docking tips.
1. Prep your bow and stern lines plus all of your fenders ahead of time. Try to get all that stuff ready as you approach, and not only might you run out of time, you might also get flustered in the rush.
2. Never approach the dock faster than you're willing to hit it. This is the cardinal rule of docking, because even if you do everything right, mechanical mishaps could ruin the experience. Your engine could stall, the steering cable could snap-who knows? Murphy's Law is constantly plaguing boaters, so plan ahead for mechanical failure.
3. As you shift out of gear to slow your approach, turn the wheel to make course corrections BEFORE shifting back into forward. Otherwise, you'll inadvertently apply power with the drive pointing in the wrong direction. Even if it's just for a second or two, you'll have to make additional corrections that shouldn't have been necessary.
Bonus Tip: Don't be afraid to ask for help. If someone's standing on the dock, have them grab your lines or help fend off. And remember to never yell at a crew-member. As the captain it's your job to make sure they have a clear understanding of what their job is, so if they flub it, the fault is really your own.