Solo docking tip - bow line "lasso to cleat"

[haknslash]

I stumbled across this video a while back and it never occurred to me to use a rope like he does in this video to help secure your boat to the dock if you're boating solo. Seems this might be beneficial to share and I was wondering if anyone else on here uses a similar method for their boat.

See around the 1:00 minute mark where he uses a bow line to toss along the dock cleat.

 

[swatski]

And of course, there is the no stress way:
https://jetboaters.net/threads/no-stress-docking.9443/

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[McMark]

A springline is your friend for solo operation.
I'll see if I can find some videos tonight after work.

 

[Wade Guisbert]

Thanks for posting this!

 

[Billtex2000]

That's quite a vessel BTW!

 

[sysinu]

That's about the only good thing about the mid-ship cleat position on the 242's, otherwise that cleat is only good for spring lines. In the video, that's a LONG dock. Most slips around me are barely the length of my boat. Because of this, if you don't want your aft to hit the dock, you have to use a forward cleat that's more midship. I only ever need that sort of line when there's a good amount of wind. Also, there are nice boat hooks that you can use to place the rope. I'm trying to find the one I remember seeing before, but it has a carabiner at the end of the hook and you just snap it around the cleat (which is ideal because it works for both cleats and rings).

 

[tabbibus]

That's about the only good thing about the mid-ship cleat position on the 242's, otherwise that cleat is only good for spring lines. In the video, that's a LONG dock. Most slips around me are barely the length of my boat. Because of this, if you don't want your aft to hit the dock, you have to use a forward cleat that's more midship. I only ever need that sort of line when there's a good amount of wind. Also, there are nice boat hooks that you can use to place the rope. I'm trying to find the one I remember seeing before, but it has a carabiner at the end of the hook and you just snap it around the cleat (which is ideal because it works for both cleats and rings).

I'd like to see that nice hook! Also, that mid ship cleat seems prime for a fender, no?

 

[jEt_jAk]

Here is my method

Greenfield SNS-B Stretch n' Slide Rafting Line https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015G7P1U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OpOMCbQ8EXVW9

 

[Dean P]

Here is my method

Greenfield SNS-B Stretch n' Slide Rafting Line https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015G7P1U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OpOMCbQ8EXVW9

These are great! Very forgiving.

 

[zipper]

We use these on the Beneteau. https://jetboaters.net/threads/docking-stick-boat-hook-adapters.19009/ direct link here dockingstick.com
We use boat hooks on the Yamaha. I dont like lines outside the jetboat. You could use two of these to solo dock a big boat.

 

[sysinu]

I'd like to see that nice hook! Also, that mid ship cleat seems prime for a fender, no?

I'll try and find a link to the docking pole that I mentioned. It's similar to the link that zipper shared, but instead of managing the line, it manages a carabiner. That midship cleat sucks for a fender, unless you want to do 3 fenders per side. All it does is cause you to pivot next to the dock. The ideal location is about 3' forward. I put a fender locker in that position.