So I have finally gotten over or at least tolerant of my fear of sailing off and on docks in the wind.....
Thanks to my weak electric trolling motor.
This last weekend I got the chance to sail in moderate conditions at Lake Benbrook. Winds were around 15 to 18 with higher gusts, blowing directly into the ramp and dock. I had novices and kids on board and so I was setup with double reefer main and no jib. And.... The trolling motor (50 lbs thrust) could not push the boat much of anywhere. I managed to slog out and get the boat sailing and we had a great sail, averaging about 5 to 6 knots. As we approached the dock I dropped the trolling motor and..... Try as it might it could not push the boat, or even head it bow on into the wind.
After one aborted attempt, I hoisted the main and thought about the approach and sailed up to the dock, headed up dropped sail and drifted gently to the side. I was surprised and so were the several folks eagerly watching my first aborted attempt with the motor from shore. After a break I took another group out, falling neatly off and then sailing the boat right up to the ramp. The motor was unused.
Overall I can add this to the other advantages of a weak electric motor..... It will make you learn to sail better