We are taking folks on sunset cruises through the summer season in New Bern. Our slip is on the center pier and the main section runs right alongside the entire length of our boat. That helps a lot getting folks aboard. It also means that we have to come in bow first, approach the center pier till we are about fifteen feet out. I then turn hard to port and shift into reverse (think Captain Ron). The boat comes to a stop alongside the pier. The Admiral steps onto the pier with the stern and spring line in hand. I back in with her gently guiding the boat when when needed. We never have a problem and we do it as many as fifteen times a week. We do draw a lot of spectators as we dock and quite often get a spontaneous ovation. It's a good feeling. When we are asked what sort of bow thruster we have we always just say "the kind they give you after you've practiced for half a century". Practice is the solution.