We had to do exactly that method several times when on one charter after the boat hook was lost overboard. If you have to do it just back up to the ball slowly from upwind, pick up the ball and let the boat slowly continue to drift back... then tie off from the front bow cleat as usual. If the wind is strong you may even be operating the boat in idle while in forward gear just to control the speed. One other option in a pinch is to go ahead and use the dingy to pick up the mooring pendant.

We have 8 or 9 bareboat charters under our belt and the only incident we have ever had was a lost boat hook. Our teen agers failed to lash it down on deck one evening, and it evidently it went overboard during a spirited sail from diamond key on Jost over to St. John.... of course the captain (me) should have noticed it wasn't really secured when we got underway.