Winds might be considered as an enemy when trying to negotiate a steering course, but it is possible to use them to our advantage. Take the last situation of turning inside an obstacle. The wind is always going to try and move the model downwind so always start the maneuver by turning into the wind. Now the wind is going to move the your model in the directions you want it to go, Fig 7. This method can minimize the chance of the wind pushing the model firmly against the sides of the obstacle, maybe getting stuck there!
However, letting the wind push you into an obstacle can be handy if you have to stop alongside a "Dock". Given a choice, always dock on the windward side and let the wind do the final part of the maneuver, Fig 8.
Another way to use the wind is when you have wind blowing parallel to the dock, Fig 9. By using the rudder and propeller thrust to keep the model at a suitable angle to the wind you can sail it to the desired position. If it's going to undershoot, then increase the power, overshooting then reduce the power, yes a bit like landing an aircraft but turned through 90 degrees!
So, please don't think that success on scale steering courses demands models with multiple props with independent control and a brace of side thrusters. Equally, small models might seem to be able to squeeze through the tightest of gaps more easily, but they can be more readily affected by winds and waves. Much better to know what your model can do reliably.
Glynn Guest