Dock wheel - UK Source??

roblpm

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Just launched my new to me 28ft boat. I have now parked it 3 times in the marina with no great drama but I have had crew each time and the wind has been favourable.

Trouble is that there is a fat boat next to me and only a few feet of space between. I have fenders both sides and actually arent too worried about the other boat. The pontoon is pretty low in the water and i cant see the corner when i am coming in.

Looking round the marina there seem to be various solutions but a good one seems to be what is called a dock wheel in the usa. Seems to me i would then roll i to my berth if i have cut it too fine amidships on the pontoon side rather than taking a chunk out of my boat.

Trouble is i cant see where to get one in the uk. Does that mean they are no good??!!

Other consideration is lines when single handing. No mid cleat??

Cheers

Rob
 

pvb

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You can import a Taylor dock wheel, but it'll cost you around £100 by the time you've paid duty, VAT, etc. It would surely be cheaper for you to get a simple stainless bracket/axle assembly made up, with a wheelbarrow wheel on it?
 

Tranona

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Corner fenders work well. Consider having your mooring lines made to length and hang the loops on a hook on a pole at the end of the finger. A mid cleat is very useful with a short spring line you can drop on the cleat to hold the boat in while you sort out the rest.
 

superheat6k

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How about a transit marker on your berth ? When berthed look ahead and see what fixed items appear ahead. Then fit a simple pole at the pontoon edge in front of the boat and approx 1 ft to the water side from your berthed steering eyeline, in transit with a suitable background feature.

When you approach use the transit line as your guide - 2' from your neighbour and 1' from the finger. Still fit a corner fender though.
 
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