I launch my boat instead of having a dock and i agree with bcan man the only other thing i would throw in is if your boat is hard to load or you are aprehensive dont go at the busy time of day there are a lot of d-heads out there. I usaully try to help people if there having problems or the older crowd with ther boats and i have seen "dock rage" many times. The best dock i think for first timer if you woried is on catawba at state park on buck rd.there is only 1 ramp and no one uses it because it costs 7 dollars, but they have people there to help and nice bathrooms, and a place for coffee and breakfast if you like.