Do you aim for the fenders to contact the pontoon as you park?

[Roberto]

With side fenders, just try not to compress them too much or the boat risks to bounce away from the finger pontoon.
A very useful technique is using a sturdy bow fender, gently bring the bow in contact with the pontoon, leave engine in slow ahead with the rudder in position as to bring the hull against the finger: the boat is stopped and you have plenty of time to arrange all the mooring ropes you wish; that is what I use also when leaving the mooring in any sort of wind/tide: engine forward on, adjust power to suit the conditions, remove all mooring lines, reverse gear and off you go. Singlehanding maneuvers with no external assistance at all.
It is also useful when there are random people wishing to help (which usually means grabbing your lines and pulling like crazy in whatever direction they feel like): just tell them you are going to bring the bow in contact with the pontoon, thank you, and enjoy their looks at a beautiful and practical maneuver

 

[Poignard]

With side fenders, just try not to compress them too much or the boat risks to bounce away from the finger pontoon.
A very useful technique is using a sturdy bow fender, gently bring the bow in contact with the pontoon, leave engine in slow ahead with the rudder in position as to bring the hull against the finger: the boat is stopped and you have plenty of time to arrange all the mooring ropes you wish; that is what I use also when leaving the mooring in any sort of wind/tide: engine forward on, adjust power to suit the conditions, remove all mooring lines, reverse gear and off you go. Singlehanding maneuvers with no external assistance at all.
It is also useful when there are random people wishing to help (which usually means grabbing your lines and pulling like crazy in whatever direction they feel like): just tell them you are going to bring the bow in contact with the pontoon, thank you, and enjoy their looks at a beautiful and practical maneuver

I use that technique often and it works well.
The only problem is willing helpers (bless 'em) who rush up and push back on the pulpit while shouting "Stop! Stop!"

 

[rotrax]

First Mate does the helming. I set the fenders and warps, open the gate to the swim platform, stand on it and watch the boat as she helms the approach. I use - because we are familiar with it from years of Canal Boating - the well understood "Steer in - Steer out". She cant see the sides of the boat from her position at the wheel in the centre of the large Pilothouse so relies on me to guide her.

On the canals 'in' is towards the towpath, out away from it. The pontoon/dockside/wall takes the place of the towpath.

When I can step off I call 'astern' and take the stern warp ashore, make fast to a cleat. I then call 'ahead at idle' and she does this, which brings the boat powering gently ahead, parallel to the pontoon/dock/wall. I move forward, collect the bow line, ready prepared with the tail hanging over the rail, now within easy reach and make the bow fast, but not too tight.

Sounds complicated but after eight seasons with the boat it works well.

The boat is an Island Packet SP Cruiser, a 12 metre Motorsailer. It has a small rear cockpit opening onto a swim platform. It was chosen especially for its 'easy on, easy off' capability.

 

[Momac]

At our home berth my wife is at the stern. I can see the port side stern from the helm. As the fender touches the pontoon she steps off holding the rope which is attached to the middle cleat which she has prepared in anticipation.
No jumping involved .
No fuss
No arguments
No panic.
It was not always so.

 

[Refueler]

Appreciate I have raised a generalised situation and people are bringing up newcomers, sailing schools, crew etc which all have connotations, not to mention different boats and berths. All the responses are appreciated. My situation is a husband and wife team, who function sometimes better, sometimes worse . I'm not giving away all our secrets here but I am excited at the idea of acting as crew instead of helm, and hoping the headphones facilitate. But the key will be practice far away from observers/boats.....at least to start with. And mastering the midship spring/loop/ bridle. And fenders fenders fenders......

The midships line is si good in most situations ... but cleat should be slightly ahead of real midships to avoid the boat wanting to pivot on it.

My Wife is a bit emotional when things are not quite right for her !! Many a time onlookers have heard a lot of bad Russian !!
She would not take helm for berthing .. I have tried - but she is adamant : Nikakda ... (means NEVER !)

Its why the gently put bow to pontoon and low throttle, helm a touch over to hold boat while she can step off ... seems to work in most cases ...

 

[Refueler]

I use that technique often and it works well.
The only problem is willing helpers (bless 'em) who rush up and push back on the pulpit while shouting "Stop! Stop!"

Trying to help of course - but ruining the grace of your intended manoeuvre !!

 

[Momac]

......... random people wishing to help (which usually means grabbing your lines and pulling like crazy in whatever direction they feel like):

I hate it when that happens. Also why do folks stand in a position that prevents my chief officer stepping off .

When I go to assist I avoid pulling on ropes or other interference unless absolutely necessary. So why don't other do likewise.

 

[Stemar]

I think a lot depends on the freeboard of the boat. Both the boats we've owned were more or less level with a pontoon, so there was no drama about stepping ashore with a line from by the shrouds or, on our Catalac, by the cockpit. If it was awkward, we'll go round again.

A friend's 40 footer was a completely different proposition. I used to get ashore with a line, but high freeboard and a bouncy pontoon always made it a bit fraught, not helped by the fact that the boat was a couple of metres longer than the pontoon. I did it when I was younger, but I wouldn't do that now,

 

[Boathook]

When I go to assist I avoid pulling on ropes or other interference unless absolutely necessary. So why don't other do likewise.

When I help others I offer to take a line and either make it fast on a cleat or round a cleat and back to the person on board. I will also adjust fender height to protect the boat(s). I normally leave them to it with the words you can adjust / alter until you are satisfied.
If they are alongside my boat I also make sure that I'm happy how the have tied up to me.

 

[davidej]

The way I often see people stepping/ jumping off is , I think, all wrong.

I instruct my crew to hold the shroud and step over the guard rail getting both feet on the gunwhale while facing the mast. Keeping one hand on the shroud, they can then lower one foot down to the pontoon and then step down with the other . No jumping involved.

 

[jac]

The way I often see people stepping/ jumping off is , I think, all wrong.

I instruct my crew to hold the shroud and step over the guard rail getting both feet on the gunwhale while facing the mast. Keeping one hand on the shroud, they can then lower one foot down to the pontoon and then step down with the other . No jumping involved.

A few years ago i was on my mooring ( a mid river continuous pontoon) when a neighbour came in with son ( early 20's) over the guardrail. holding shroud, facing outboard with stern line in hand. He jumped when he was about 2 feet from the pontoon, not realising that their was sufficient slack in the stern line to only let him go 1 foot.

He made an impressive splash.

 

[Refueler]

No one should be made to step off a boat, if they are not happy to step they don’t.

I wish every time I berthed there was just suitable cleat in the right place I could magically lassoe and be all secure.
With us generally the crew steps off and once safely ashore, helm steps off and ties up the other end.

Not possible one size fits all cleat positioning ... would be great if there was !!

Stepping off boat .... how would you Baltic moor if no-one stepped off ??

Forgive the untidy lines ! That was just while waiting for Lifter to be free from boat before us ...

 

[wombat88]

If you can afford it go to Venice for a few days and buy a Vaporetto pass. Just appreciate the style with which they come alongside and then try it at home. It works.

 

[Refueler]

A few years ago i was on my mooring ( a mid river continuous pontoon) when a neighbour came in with son ( early 20's) over the guardrail. holding shroud, facing outboard with stern line in hand. He jumped when he was about 2 feet from the pontoon, not realising that their was sufficient slack in the stern line to only let him go 1 foot.

He made an impressive splash.

Seen that a few times .....

 

[Sandy]

I single hand 99% of the time. When in using a pontoon I have a line attached to the mid cleat and led back to the cockpit on the outside of the guard wires. At end of the line is a loop that is popped over a cleat from the helm. The boat is then is held against the pontoon on engine tick over. I then step off and attach the lines.

I am to arrive at the pontoon just making way, well under a knot, I struggle to understand why anybody needs to go any faster.

 

[dunedin]

I think a lot depends on the freeboard of the boat. Both the boats we've owned were more or less level with a pontoon, so there was no drama about stepping ashore with a line from by the shrouds or, on our Catalac, by the cockpit. If it was awkward, we'll go round again.

A friend's 40 footer was a completely different proposition. I used to get ashore with a line, but high freeboard and a bouncy pontoon always made it a bit fraught, not helped by the fact that the boat was a couple of metres longer than the pontoon. I did it when I was younger, but I wouldn't do that now,

I agree that freeboard is a big factor. If the skipper insists in somebody stepping ashore (rather than doing the middle rope technique), one of these by the shrouds makes MUCH safer Majoni Step Fender Colours

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have a mooring hook (very large snap hook) tied to a line attached to mid cleat of a length they will prevent the boat hitting the main spine of mooring.

This the crew attaches to the outer cleat on the finger and I slowly motor into the mooring until the "spring line tightens and stops motion and pulls the boat into the finger and fenders contact the finger.

With engine still in gear on tickover I can then step off the boat and set bow ,stern lines and springs.

I te shut down the engine and put kettle on

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I aim for gentle contact. Provided fenders at right height no hull or gel coat damage will occur. I want the boat to be at standstill or very nearly so the Navigator can step off safely. I can buy a new boat, finding the right wife was harder.

On our old boat she helmed into marinas and I did the stepping or leaping,but she still hasnt quite got the confidence now we have our slightly contrary long keeler

 

[Refueler]

All ways are great - till wind - weather are acting on you to foul it up !!

 

[dunedin]

I guess the approach also depends on the number of side thrusters fitted! Bow thruster can cover a few basic sins.
Watched a Maxi 1300 berthing with retractable bow and stern thrusters - get somewhere vaguely near the pontoon and, whoosh, swept sideways in. Jealous - not me, honest ;-)