Mooring up... Spring Lines?

adams1x · 11 May 2016, 12:32

Hi,

I will shortly be moving my RIB to a permanent in the water berth on a pontoon mooring in the middle of the Hamble, I have a new on water cover being made but if i put ropes under the cover for springs they will ruin the cover in a matter of weeks... should I worry about Spring lines?

Anyone else in a similar position?

Poly · 11 May 2016, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by adams1x

Hi,

I will shortly be moving my RIB to a permanent in the water berth on a pontoon mooring in the middle of the Hamble, I have a new on water cover being made but if i put ropes under the cover for springs they will ruin the cover in a matter of weeks... should I worry about Spring lines?

Anyone else in a similar position?

Leaving it on a pontoon in relatively unknown conditions - I would want springs on it. If you are having the cover made can you nor have either reinforcing, or perhaps better - holes in the cover for the lines?

adams1x · 11 May 2016, 12:53

I even wondered about installing a cleat on the underside of the tube but worried what would happen if caught in rough weather.. maybe bad idea!

Iron Dials · 11 May 2016, 12:57

Our rib lives in a marina and we use a spring.
I also have set up to moor single handed as the kids may or may not be able to help.
There's a strong tidal flow at times so it's important to be able to "catch the marina" easily.
Depending on whether you have a full cover or one that just covers the console and seats this may work for you..

I have one long line rigged from transom u-bolt to the forward cleat at anchor locker.
There is loop tied in this which conveniently lines up with the console and a mooring point on the pontoon. We come alongside, stop and slip the spring line onto the mooring point on the pontoon. Without leaving the driving position the boat is secure.
It does not interfere with anything inside the boat so should leave an internal cover clear.

Hope this is useful to you.

Maximus · 11 May 2016, 13:46

If it's left for long extended periods through all weather conditions a sheltered swinging mooring would be my preference...Or better still a floating Drive on Dock ..that could be then attached to a Pontoon...has a lot of advantages.

Wightdiver · 11 May 2016, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by adams1x

Hi,

I will shortly be moving my RIB to a permanent in the water berth on a pontoon mooring in the middle of the Hamble, I have a new on water cover being made but if i put ropes under the cover for springs they will ruin the cover in a matter of weeks... should I worry about Spring lines?

Anyone else in a similar position?

Do you have an A frame sticking through the cover?

adams1x · 11 May 2016, 13:53

Yes, will be...

Wightdiver · 11 May 2016, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by adams1x

Yes, will be...

Well that's one potential fixing point.

adams1x · 11 May 2016, 14:02

Just wound need to be high up to avoid cover but think that is doable... will have a play! Thanks for all the advice

Dry Run · 11 May 2016, 15:04

Dry Stack it then all your problems are solved

PS. Other Dry Stacks are available

willk · 11 May 2016, 17:01

I have cleats mid-ships for springs. They are "inside" my canopy/cover and the cover maker simply built an plastic fabric insert with a slit in it into the canopy - the spring passes through this. The panel can be renewed if it gets damaged.

Absolutely use springs. Definitely not off the top of your A-frame.