Walking the dog.....

53' Hatteras: The props are small and the hull is heavy and deep in comparison to more modern vessels of similar size.
It does not "walk" as much as...let's call it a laconic "lurch".. In fact I often use the helm to nudge her in when the wind is against me on the side I want to moor. Can't say your formula is true, but take your word for it. In fact, next time I'm out I'll give it a whirl!

Aye Oscar, you are a lightweight:
I have been driving 833,000 lbs airplanes for years, then got bored with it and took up boating

You don't need docks to practice docking and learn what you can do with your boat. In fact, docks are not where I'd practice. We've docked hundreds of times at invisible docks out in an open area.

You can't practice coming over a dangerous bar (inlet in the US) by going through rough seas and you cannot practice the situation that occurs when you come into/at a dock in a tide or against a wind etc.
That's the beauty of boating and flying and diving.
So many issues come down to real time experience and cannot be duplicated.
Except in advanced simulators (flying).

Was just referring to docking. Can't practice bars but can practice learning the characteristics of the boat in wind and current from all directions. The more you learn about the boat and how it handles the more prepared you are. Obviously can learn with someone more experienced across the bar as well. And you can practice on simulators. While they don't give you the complete feeling, they do a good job of showing you what you will be looking at. Some of the maritime schools do have pretty nice and sophisticated simulators.

Sounds like you need them...lol

LOL.
Just what I was driving at.
Olderboater, no argument that practice is good, just the "sphincter factor" is missing!
Cheers

I don't agree with all the talk about "sphincter factor" by you and Ralph. The way to reduce that factor is through training, knowledge and experience. If you're prepared for the experience when you face it, then the anxiety will be greatly reduced. I'm not dismissing practical experience, but don't underestimate practice or simulation.

Come on OB! Lets not get too serious over this. Do you come over a rough inlet and into a tight mooring with a martini shaken, not stirred? Hardly old chap.

I have terrified myself many times. Just enough to wake up every sense and be at 100% alertness. Who said “anxiety!”. Serious concern, absolutely, even a healthy level of fear. It is what brings out the best in some people. Sure practice makes some difference, but it's experience that gives you the confidence to keep calm enough to work out the best way.

It's part of the love of boating and improving skills, whether it's coming into a dangerous bar on a run out tide or relying solely on radar in dark and bad weather in a tough channel with a 10 foot tide racing into the channel.

Niether Ralph or I are claiming that we fall apart with nerves. It's just a phrase to acknowledge that we are humble enough to admit the fact we get a big rush of adrenalin or whatever else you would like to term it. Personally, I like Ralphs description, and nothing beats a cold beer after a good landing.