Do I need to use spring lines?

matthewmiller01

matthewmiller01

New Member
May 14, 2008
1,007
Knoxville, TN
Boat Info
2008 290 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 5.0 MPIs (DTS) w/ Bravo III Drives
Kohler 5 ECD
I currently tie up the boat with 4 lines, one from each corner to a cleat on the dock directly across from each point on the boat. The dock is floating and the boat only moves with wake (usually small as we are off the main channel and my boat is protected by ~4 other docks between it and the main channel). I have never had any problems with my current line setup, but wondered if I should be using spring lines instead.

Your thoughts? Thanks!
 
We have never used them. 30yrs and two marinas which are always calm. I understand the purpose of a spring line but just never needed one. To each their own!
 
I use the same setup as you. In addition, I use foreward spring lines to keep her platform from crashing the dock in the event of a rapid tide (I am in a river and it is not uncommon for the tidal current to run 5 knots. If you have no similar current, there is no need. However, if you leave the home lines at the dock, it could not hurt, especially if a sudden storm came up and you were not at the boat. Insurance companies will look for any reason to not pay.

my $0.02
 
I use one springline on the center cleat. I hook that on first when backing into my slip. Keeps the sun pad off the wall.
 
I'm in a covered slip, in a cove, on a lake, and only use 4 lines. I can tie my boat where there's no way it can bump the dock, and it works. I use 5/8" lines. Once, when there was a hurricane approaching the gulf, and we were forecasted to get high winds, I put on more lines, but it turned out to be unnecessary. I think the extra lines are good if your slip is tight (narrow), or if wakes are a concern.

Don
 
I hook a spring line up before leaving the boat,we get some bad winds occasionally and they will actually push the water out of the basin and drop the water level 3-4 ft,or raise it 3-4 ft.I have seen boats lifted onto there docks in the morning and setting on bottom in the afternoon.Some of the more local to the marina members will come around and adjust lines for everyone,but i feel the spring midships will aid them so the boat wont get away from them or me while doing adjustments.
 
I always use a spring line. There is no downside to it that I can see.
 
I have 4 spring lines, 11 in all... Left over from when I tied the boat up for Sandy... I have always used spring lines, ever since we snapped two lines in a storm when I was out of town. My shore power ripped out the boat... You can be caught off guard with a storm, and more lines the better.
 
I have never not used a spring line, it's very rare that there are not 5 dock lines on my boat at any given time. One line breaks and your in the wall. I have one keeping the boat from moving forward, 2 bow lines keeping. The boat from side to side and from going backwards, and two stern lines keeping the boat from moving from side to side. The spring is the first line on and last line off always.

The key is setting it up right, when coming into the dock putting the spring line on first in the correct orientation will act like a bow thruster pulling the boat towards the dock but not letting it go forwards or backwards when putting the boat in gear and sucking the boat closer to the dock in a windy situation.

I don't want my boat to move in the slip at all. This keeps it perfectly in the same place at all times.
 
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We have 8 lines on the majority of the time. Two spring lines on the port side as port side is dock side (belts and braces) which are always last off and first on. Two bow lines, two crossed stern lines and a line mid cleat port and starborad, just in case there's a storm (we get bad ones in FL) while we are not there. The spring lines we think are an absolute must, as they hold her from going forward or backwards into the dock while we secure the other lines.
 
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My slip gets lots of wind and subsequently some good chop even though in a protective cove. Without spring lines it would be a train wreck - well, more like a boat wreck.
 
Carver370 said:
I have never not used a spring line, it's very rare that there are not 5 dock lines on my boat at any given time.

I don't want my boat to move in the slip at all. This keeps it perfectly in the same place at all times.
Click to expand...

This is how I was taught and I like the security.

The "need" probably is area, dock, tide, winds and of course current you experience all mixed with a smidge of anal retention...

MM
 
When I was on 4 way tie, I didn't use spring lines, just bow and stern off 4 corners. This season I'll be on a floating dock, 2 way tie, and I will use spring lines to keep from moving back and forth.
 
So, I don't have any problem keeping the boat centered, off all sides, and I have access to both finger piers (both sides). I also have plenty of width in the slip (IIRC, it is a 12' wide slip and I have a 9' 6" beam). I also have fenders/pads on both sides of the dock and one directly centered at the stern (I back in). So, the only thing I can see is that spring lines would add extra security, but no other real benefit. Correct?

And, so that I fully understand, spring lines keep a boat secured while allowing some movement for tides, waves/wake, wind, etc., right? If there is more to them than that, please let me know. Thanks!
 
matthewmiller01 said:
So, I don't have any problem keeping the boat centered, off all sides, and I have access to both finger piers (both sides). I also have plenty of width in the slip (IIRC, it is a 12' wide slip and I have a 9' 6" beam). I also have fenders/pads on both sides of the dock and one directly centered at the stern (I back in). So, the only thing I can see is that spring lines would add extra security, but no other real benefit. Correct?

And, so that I fully understand, spring lines keep a boat secured while allowing some movement for tides, waves/wake, wind, etc., right? If there is more to them than that, please let me know. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Spring lines are to control the fore and aft movement of the boat. Depending on how you use your boat cleats to dock cleats or pilings, etc you may already be in a configuration that performs the function of spring lines. If that makes no sense I found some pics here that should illustrate my point and might give you ideas to use in other docking situations. http://www.moorcontrol.com.au/MooringSetUpAdvice.htm
 
Here's what I use. Only one true spring line in the bunch.

docklines_zpsbf31fd56.jpg
 
matthewmiller01 said:
So, I don't have any problem keeping the boat centered, off all sides, and I have access to both finger piers (both sides). I also have plenty of width in the slip (IIRC, it is a 12' wide slip and I have a 9' 6" beam). I also have fenders/pads on both sides of the dock and one directly centered at the stern (I back in). So, the only thing I can see is that spring lines would add extra security, but no other real benefit. Correct?

And, so that I fully understand, spring lines keep a boat secured while allowing some movement for tides, waves/wake, wind, etc., right? If there is more to them than that, please let me know. Thanks!
Click to expand...

The only time you can get away without a need for a spring lines is if you're on a long finger or both pilings are much further to the bow beyond the bow cleats. In both of these case the bow lines will also prevent the boat moving toward the stern and hitting the dock. The stern lines can play a partial role of a spring line preventing for the boat moving forward.

So, the answer to your question, is most likely yes and they're highly recommended, but depending on the slip arrangement you can get away without them.
 
The are a lot of different sceranios here, tide change, floating dock, fixed dock, and current. I have a tide change and I'm on a fixed dock, so spring lines are a most and the longer they are the better.
 
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