Paul has given excellent advice. The mastering the art of tying up the whaler to the dock is one I have been working on for years.
But it starts with paying attention and watching closely what other people do., where their stern anchor is etc.
As far as I can discern, it is not allowed to tie up to a restaurant dock, unless you are actually eating there.
There are two public docks in town, and the sailing club, sorta behind Lena' Landing (a pretty pink and white rental cottage), allows smaller whalers to tie up there.
Wind can also be a factor. Remember on the public docks one side is for the ferry. and clearly marked. Also, harborview grocery has a dock if you are buying there.
Sometimes you have to cruise by and drop one person off to make the run to Vernon's if the docks are really busy.
Do not attempt the native custom of one person in boat, in stern, cutting engine, drifting deftly to dock while walking to the bow and blithely hopping up the ladder and typing one loose loop around the dock.
This has to be learned in childhood and requires a boat that can take a beating.

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