Excuse my ignorance, but.......

[Poignard]

Poignard, I think it was Hoedic. My spring clip pole a bit more modern and threaded with 12mm but otherwise much as yours

So what's the best technique for the Hoedic system? (I have been there but always managed to get one of the catways.)

Do you nose up to the buoy, attach your buoy rope, drop back, and then raft up.

Or is there a better way?

 

[oldmanofthehills]

So what's the best technique for the Hoedic system? (I have been there but always managed to get one of the catways.)

Do you nose up to the buoy, attach your buoy rope, drop back, and then raft up.

Or is there a better way?

With much advice from those already there, including every boat needing to be attached to boat on both sides, we did as you suggested nosing up with neighbours detaching their stern bridle and handing us in. Quite convivial