Spring lines

[nitrogenase]

Our Beneteau 323 has no deck cleat midship for spring lines, despite there being a gap in the toerail. As a consequence, our spring lines run from fore and aft to the middle of the dock, which means that they can be quite tight against the hull, especially when the wind is up. Advice?

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

All I could suggest is that you snug up on your breast lines to prevent the spring lines from becoming tight in a wind which blows you off the dock.

 

[nitrogenase]

Breast lines would normally attach to the midship cleat to a cleat just alongside on the boat? Without a cleat there, I can't attach a breast line... Or do you mean tighten up the bow/stern lines?

 

[Mechone]

Made my own 6 years ago no issues. Fold in when not in use

 

[nitrogenase]

Aha - that looks great. How did you plan this and what did you buy? Any instructions you have, feel free to send my way (josh.neufeld@gmail.com or 226-338-2962). Thanks!

 

[kappykaplan]

Nice solution, Mechone!

 

[Mechone]

SHENGHUISS 6 Inch (155MM) Boat Folding Cleat Dock Deck Flip Up Flush Mount Boat Cleat Mooring Rope Stainless Steel 316 with Bolts and Nuts, Sports & Outdoors - Amazon Canada
Can't remember if mine may be 8 inch , are also available on amazon 316 stainless

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Or do you mean tighten up the bow/stern lines?

Lines which limit side to side motion are breast lines. Lines which limit moving end to end are spring lines.

Having said all that, yes a little tighter on the bow/stern lines.

I should mention I have my lines like that and they are dedicated home dock lines (always left behind), all exactly cut to the inch with loops for the boat cleats. A complete bugger if you're trying to tie them like that each time you return to your dock.

 

[nitrogenase]

Lines which limit side to side motion are breast lines. Lines which limit moving end to end are spring lines.

Having said all that, yes a little tighter on the bow/stern lines.

Thanks - helpful. Problem is that the berth is more or less the exact same size as the boat, so the stern line does not prevent forward motion. The reverse spring does all the work stopping forward motion, and that's the one that lies flush against the hull in a puff.

 

[nitrogenase]

Lines which limit side to side motion are breast lines. Lines which limit moving end to end are spring lines.

Having said all that, yes a little tighter on the bow/stern lines.

I should mention I have my lines like that and they are dedicated home dock lines (always left behind), all exactly cut to the inch with loops for the boat cleats. A complete bugger if you're trying to tie them like that each time you return to your dock.

That makes sense. We aim to be further away all the time, stopping at other marinas etc., and so we stay in the habit of taking everything with us. And yes, it is a bugger to adjust everything just right each time. But I don't mind doing it, so long as the best end result doesn't include rubbing against the hull. Not cool.

 

[Sailfanatic]

Made my own 6 years ago no issues. Fold in when not in use

FWIW you should tape up those split rings on your turnbuckles, or a sheet may snag one and remove it, leading to an unpleasant result.

As to the midships cleat, the OP can buy an adjustable cleat to fit on the jib track if the OP doesn't want to do the popup install.

 

[jssailem]

There are several designs for the folding cleat.

Here is one I recently discovered.

Ropeze Flip Up Folding Cleat

Ropeze Flip Up Folding Cleat

e-rigging.com

I put a pair on my boat similar to @Mechone. They were rated at 4,000lbs. Lived through a 60 knot wind storm without any wear apparent wear.

I used a 1/4” thick aluminum backing plate beneath the deck.

Love the versatility they give me for docking or tying up in my slip.

 

[Mechone]

The whole point of my design is there was no drilling or modification of the boat , and yes its been through 60knot winds and the rings not in place on turnbuckles the mast was just stepped and being tuned as I unstep and restep every year and that pic is 6 years old ,but thanks for the comment

 

[Hayden Watson]

That makes sense. We aim to be further away all the time, stopping at other marinas etc., and so we stay in the habit of taking everything with us. And yes, it is a bugger to adjust everything just right each time. But I don't mind doing it, so long as the best end result doesn't include rubbing against the hull. Not cool.

I have a set of dock lines spliced onto the cleats for my dock which are cut to fit. I then have a full set of (4) breast lines, (2) medium spring lines and (2) long spring lines which are coiled and stowed in the cockpit locker for travel. That makes it the best of both worlds.

 

[Joe]

You can use the primary winches to anchor the aft spring lines, the bow cleats for the forward springs.