Dockline practicality - where is your bitter end?

[Russ]

We’ve seen multiple times where boat who leave their lines on the dock have had issues with lines dropping into the water as they cast off which can be a hazard to other vessels using the slipways l

That's a no bueno. NEVER leave lines in the water. So careless to do so.

I always disconnect my dock lines WHILE ON THE DOCK. I literally hop off the boat, disconnect all lines and hop back on. This way I can be sure to stow them out of other's way and safe.

In the past when I lived back east, I had a hook on pilings to hold the dock lines when I left.

I also have full dock lines and bumpers, should I visit another marina. If cruising to different ports, having plenty of dock lines is important.

Having preset dock lines ON THE DOCK and ready to loop on a cleat makes it so easy for docking. These lines are preset for optimal distances and clearances so I don't need to adjust each time I take the boat out. That's big for me. I spend a lot of time getting them set just right so things don't touch or rub on docks.

Everyone has different situations. Not everyone has a dedicated silip. I just moved my boat to the slip next to mine that has fingerpiers on BOTH sides. I'll have to figure out how to tie things up in that one. Also, I have to move my dock guards over to the new slip.

[Be Free]

I just moved my boat to the slip next to mine that has fingerpiers on BOTH sides. I'll have to figure out how to tie things up in that one. Also, I have to move my dock guards over to the new slip.

That is my least favorite way to tie up. Give me a side tie to a floating dock any time!

[Herschel]

I am with Over Easy

When landing we utilize our two boat hooks (fore and aft) to snag the dock cleats.
I can generally lasso the aft dock cleat from the cockpit and temporarily tie off to the boat cleat while the Admiral holds the bow on to the dock cleat with the boat hook.
I then get off the boat onto the dock and go forward to take the bow line from the Admiral and tie on to the dock fwd cleat.
I finish up by going aft to remove the bitter end temporarily tied to the boat and then tie on to the dock aft cleat.
To help keep the boat stable in the slip I then take the remaining bow line from the Admiral and tie on to the main dock which centers the boat in our space.

I want to be able to control the lines from the boat so that where ever I may want or need to moor, I have the lines already deployed (eye on my boat cleat) and ready. Also, being in a hurricane/strong storm area, I always leave my boat doubled up just in case I am not in town when a storm hits or I am not able to get up to the marina in time to double up. I never ask any crew to jump to the dock. We handle mooring with boat hooks fore and aft.

[Russ]

I always leave my boat doubled up just in case I am not in town when a storm hits or I am not able to get up to the marina in time to double up.

VERY smart. Even a T-storm can cause a problem with a single dock line.

[DaveC426913]

I always leave my boat doubled up just in case I am not in town when a storm hits or I am not able to get up to the marina in time to double up.

VERY smart. Even a T-storm can cause a problem with a single dock line.

Saved my boat once. Tied it up to a wall for lunch. Squall came roaring in. Was only gone two hours. When I got back to the boat, one line was snapped, but the other held. It would have sunk in the swell had I not doubled.

[louiseravot]

I’ve done both, but I prefer having the bitter end on the boat. It gives you more control when docking somewhere new. Leaving loops on the dock can be great for a fixed slip though, if you’re coming in solo.