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Go parallel with the dock, stop the engine, and let the current drift you to the dock.
Approach at a narrow angle about 20 degrees
When you row a boat on a pond, you are usually facing the back of the boat. Also, the oars are usually attached in the middle of the oar to the side of the boat. So if you pull the handle of the oar towards the front of the boat (towards you when rowing), the paddle of the oar is moving towards the back of the boat (the oar acts like a lever-arm). To move a boat forward, you actually have to move water backward! It's pushing water back that really moves the boat forward. So, when you pull the oar towards you, the paddle moves towards the back of the boat, and that pushes water towards the back of the boat, pushing the boat the opposite direction, which is forward! Just make sure to turn around once in a while because you're not looking where you are going!
Go parallel with the dock, stop the engine, and let the current drift you to the dock.
stern line
The bow
bow line
x
x
Your spring line (forward leading aft). Then your stern line, then the bow line. However it is always recommended if possible to make your approach, bow into the current to give your boat more maneuverability.
Launching from shore.
if the boat turns toward the dock without going upstream, it will miss it's mark because the current is pushing the boat downstream.