Well here is where I eat some crow...
It took me abt 9 tries to dock yesterday by backing into a space beside a short finger pier for the marina crew to retrieve me for storage. There was only one open dock available for retrieval.
I had a 3kt incoming tidal run from the west at 90degrees to the dock. There was a 15+kt east wind.
Each pass at backing into the the current and swinging into the shared space with a 2nd boat on the down wind side was a nail biter. Just when I throught I had secured a firm position with the stern, the wind would grab the bow and swing me toward the other boat. I tried to walk the boat around the end of the dock, but could not secure a hold for a spring. I finally got some help from the marina crew who helped me walk around the end of the dock. It still took 2 aborts to keep from pulling them in the water. On one earlier pass the starboard, outboard, engine stalled and I did not realized it till the last second.
The response of CD25 with HONDA 90s when backing to port is a challenge, compared to starboard, even with the SS 4 blade 15" pitch. This is the weak link and requires more practice, including when an engine is lost.
I did finally get docked, successfully. No marks to anything but my pride.
Lesson learned:
1. Plan ahead and be ready with a 'plan B'; may have to wait till there
is a better site, even if it does take an hour.
2. Brief/review spring line use and safety, if tie point reachable.
3. Check weight distribution POB, not everybody in the cockpit.
4. Practice.. practice.. and practice again.