Every docking situation is a lil' different so its hard to give you specifics.
But some tricks we use are to have the lines permanently affixed / tied to the pilings
at all four corners, & we leave them there when going out. Use some older lines for tying up to whatever destination you sail to. Many sailors only anchor out anyway. You can use some rigging tape to mark the docking lines where you should tie them to the cleats.
Mid ship cleats are what most boats are lacking in for securing spring lines. I just tie a loop around my primary winches to secure, as they are probably the strongest piece of deck hardware on the boat. I also always run a line fore and aft to pilings on each side of the boat. This helps to prevent you or your neighbor from rubbing, and gives you a place to grab onto with a docking hook should you get blown aorund on a windy day. You have to allot for tidal change, unless you're on a lake. It's a fine line between allowing for tides, & being too loose. We dock bow in 'cause our boat sucks in reverse, so I have to tie up tight enough to make sure the bow pullpit doesn't bang on the dock. Rubber snubbers are also helpful to absorb shock on the dock lines. Some sailors also cut old garden hoses to cover where the lines might be in contact with chafe.
You have to experiment on what works best for your situation. I think that the hardest part for some sailors is just getting on & off the boat!
