MacGregorSailors.com

Several of us owners have found the "face backwards and go in reverse to dock" method a great solution. After I found how much better it works for me, I always use it, except when it is absolutely not possible, like going onto the trailer. I can't think of any other situation where it isn't much easier and preferable, except one owner said he would rather the cockpit face away from the dock for privacy.

Just to re-cap a few of the advantages, When in reverse, and facing the rear of the boat standing in front of the pedestal, the steering is instinctively correct, you are right in the front where you can see and judge distances much better than being 24 feet from the bow, you have a much better view, you can see the rudders by glancing down, or by peripheral vision, and you are effectively "in front" and where the boat is acutally steered.
Think of the three points, the rudder, the centerboard, and the bow. When you are trying to manouver the Mac precisely in forward, the bow is actually like a large truck's body you are backing, as the steering is effected from where you are sitting, and the other end is extended past the pivot point (centerboard / rear tires).
Besides that, in reverse you have an earlier opportunity to step onto the dock, or grab a bouy, or piling.

Plus, consider: if you come into the dock in forward, and it is a U shaped dock, you have to pull out in reverse anyway. I found it easier to get going out of the dock forward than going in.

I've been docking by backing into the slip for years. I learned it from this board. I believe it was Capt. Steve who first told me.

Ray

P.S. All boards down.

I learned it here. Try it out in the open and you will see how agile you can be. This technique does get the looks and yells of your going the wrong way"

Also, when visiting a transient marina/dock never tell the dockmaster you have shallow draft...I have been put in the shallow pool a few times and it is difficult to maneuver the boat when you can't put down the DB or rudders and once I even had to rotate the engine out of the water a little bit.

I "ditto" the comments on backing in. Easier to load/unload the boat IMO as well.

Cheers,
Jim