Ross
Tires make a mess of your hull - black streaks - better than gouges, for sure. I am agreeing with you for protected harbors, which most of us now encounter, myself included. I have been in situations where there was no alternaitve but to ride out the night/day with a big surge. I have used seat cushions and life preservers to keep the hull off the dock - along with fenders. Those were the early days. Not many marinas require that type of preparation anymore. I have not had to use those measures in many years. One develops habits though, and they carry on. Those of us who prescribe to the "no life line" school of thought are probably being overly cautious, but still carry on from a day when it really did matter.
Tires make a mess of your hull - black streaks - better than gouges, for sure. I am agreeing with you for protected harbors, which most of us now encounter, myself included. I have been in situations where there was no alternaitve but to ride out the night/day with a big surge. I have used seat cushions and life preservers to keep the hull off the dock - along with fenders. Those were the early days. Not many marinas require that type of preparation anymore. I have not had to use those measures in many years. One develops habits though, and they carry on. Those of us who prescribe to the "no life line" school of thought are probably being overly cautious, but still carry on from a day when it really did matter.
