A right hand prop will have the stern backing to port, at least initially, until you have some way on. You need more way on when backing, for
rudder control, than when going ahead because the prop is blasting more
water across the prop going ahead, but going astern this is not the case. Once you have plenty of way on,
steering while going astern is not impossible.
Another thing about going astern is there will be a marked tendency for most
boats, whether power or sail, to want to back into the wind. The bow is blown downwind more than the stern. If you have
roller furling or you have a
storm jib handy for instant use, you can use just a bit of headsail to make this happen even more effectively. A
ketch or a yawl can also make use of the mizzen to help steer. Crew must be knowledgeable, responsible, and on the ball, though.
Understanding and applying these two principles fully will help you a lot.
Another thing you can do is to decide on your last line to take in, and in undocking preparations, pass it around the piling or cleat and back to the boat. This works best when you have an end that does not have an eye spliced into it that can catch on cleat horns and stuff. So with everyone safely aboard, you can cast off and take in all lines except your last line, and use that line to control the boat as you back out of the slip, and at the last moment cast off the bitter end and bring the line in.
Fenders and boathooks can turn a potential scrape or crunch into a harmless nudge. Your crew should stand ready to fend off, as the possible need to do so becomes evident, not at the last second when it is nearly too late or maybe actually too late to prevent damage.
In windy conditions you usually need to use more power when maneuvering, than when it is calm. Before making a turn, you want to be well upwind of your intended track, too. In a back and fill turn, you need to once again remember that a right hand wheel backs to port, usually, and a left hand prop will back to starboard. The bow of course swings in the opposite direction. So sometimes a 270 degree turn can be easier than a 90 degree turn.
Always test your ability to shift into Ahead or Astern, before casting off lines, and on the way back in, before entering the harbor.
Malfunction of
transmission or control cable is an extremely unsettling surprise when you need it the most. Check your
fuel filters, and
fuel level in your day tank, too. Also
engine oil level, etc. Start your engine ahead of time and run it for a bit, make sure you are getting plenty of joy from your
cooling system and there is no unusual vibration, smoke, etc.
Never get so distracted or preoccupied that you forget to disconnect
shore power,
water, cable, telephone, or other services. Please do not ask me why that is even a thought to me.
Final thought... if you are not comfortable with conditions, don't take the boat out. There will be other opportunities. Also when you are expecting contrary winds, you might consider leaving the dock the night before, and catching a
mooring or dropping an
anchor overnight. Same with
docking. If you aren't feeling good with the conditions, and there is any doubt about docking safely, wait outside for better conditions. Often there are distinct lulls in the wind as the sea breeze or land breeze dies down before it reverses.