When you first get to the dock, it is most helpful to take a line from the center of the gunwale (
the upper edge of the side of a boat) and tie off to something on the dock. A post is fine.
This way the center of the boat is tied and the bow and stern will not get away from you. You can then tie the bow and stern is whatever order seems best for your dock. As metioned earlier, the more lines the better.
Do not tie too tight. Google "spring lines" to see how they work.
FYI, gunwale is pronounced gunnel.
