Are there any diagrams or books on the correct ways to tie off a docked boat? I have seen it done so many different ways, some good, some not so good.

Was wondering if there was a book showing different setups of docks with different currents?

Some guys get it done with only two dock lines, I have seen others with five to six, and the boat was still not secure.

What is docking situation like? Tidal or river?

Depends on a lot of things. Typical day tied up at one of the local bars only need 2 lines. If you're in a slip somewhere you might want to tie off on all 4 corners. If you're on the coast somewhere with large tide changes you need pay a little more attention. Just don't back in like Ty did at Sun Buns that day.

whenever i've tied up to other boats i've always just used a long line to tie the rear cleats together so the backs of the boats are even...then take the excess line and use it as a spring line to the middle cleat of the opposite boat to keep the boat from moving forwards or backwards....then tie the bow's together...never had a problem

In a slip I like to cross the stern ropes.

coming from a realtively small in land lake, that primarily uses low floating docks and slips with no big raft off or sandy beaches so 2 lines and a bumper or 2 and i was ok but taking the little 16 out on the road i have picked up some handy tips for each place i have gone, spring lines in lake george, beching and anchoring at potters beach in 1000 isands, to rafting off this fall at the lk george poker run, pretty awesome sight out side of the algonquin, nice when you get all the same boats together the pantera guys looked sharp all the swin platforms uniform, now i need how to learn when the water goes up and down

oh and I don't know knots so i tie alot

http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/c...oating/7_1.php

Every tie up is a little different, but uses the same basic concepts. It will largely depend on where the cleats are on the dock in relation to the cleats on your boat. Tie the back cleats off first if you are backed in or rafting up. Then tie off the fronts or side cleat depending on the configuration. Use a spring line as needed to keep the boat from moving too back of too far forward.