psneeld
Guru
Practice...practice...
But agree bull rail docks are more of an issue....as well as the boat you are on.
One of the main reasons to use spring lines in my book is because I do so much single handling....a LOT when trying to maneuver the assistance tow boat and holding it in place with wind/current while handling the towline.
Just used one to get a twin engine outboard 23 foot walkaround out of a slip because the 30 knot gusts and 3 knot current had it pinned firmly against the finger pier.
Never would I slam one for having or using thrusters....and maybe someday I will put one on my single engine trawler. For now, there hasn't been a docking situation where a spring hasn't sufficed, and that was only needed a couple times in 9 trips either to or from FL to NJ....and much of that I was practically.... single handling.
If you use one enough, it becomes second nature as part of the initial docking, not as an alternative or backup.
But agree bull rail docks are more of an issue....as well as the boat you are on.
One of the main reasons to use spring lines in my book is because I do so much single handling....a LOT when trying to maneuver the assistance tow boat and holding it in place with wind/current while handling the towline.
Just used one to get a twin engine outboard 23 foot walkaround out of a slip because the 30 knot gusts and 3 knot current had it pinned firmly against the finger pier.
Never would I slam one for having or using thrusters....and maybe someday I will put one on my single engine trawler. For now, there hasn't been a docking situation where a spring hasn't sufficed, and that was only needed a couple times in 9 trips either to or from FL to NJ....and much of that I was practically.... single handling.
If you use one enough, it becomes second nature as part of the initial docking, not as an alternative or backup.
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