Spring off: keep only the bow spring on, put a fender on the bow, steer as if to turn the bow in towards the pontoon and motor gently ahead. The bow pivots on the fender and the stern swings out; then let the spring go and motor astern into clear water.
When there is no wind, leaving a berth is a matter of letting the lines go and motoring gently out. When the wind is blowing the boat onto the pontoon it is harder: if you let go and motor ahead, the wind pins you against the pontoon, so you grind along it and into the boat in front. The answer is to spring off, using a line and the engine to swing one end of the boat clear first.
Springing the stern out:
- Put a fender right forward on the bow, where it will take the boat's weight against the pontoon.
- Rig the bow spring so it runs from the bow aft to a cleat on the pontoon, and lead it back so it can be let go from on board.
- Take in all the other lines.
- Steer as if to turn the bow in towards the pontoon (with a wheel, turn it towards the pontoon; with a tiller, push it away from the pontoon) and motor gently ahead against the spring. The spring stops the boat moving forwards, so the bow pivots on its fender and the stern swings out.
- When the stern is well clear, go to neutral, let the spring go, centre the rudder and motor firmly astern into clear water.
You can also spring the bow out with a stern spring, running from the stern forward to the pontoon, with a fender on the stern quarter, and the engine astern. This suits boats with room ahead, but it is harder to control, because the boat steers less well astern.
Points to watch:
- Use enough power. Too little and the boat just lies against the pontoon; the stronger the wind, the more throttle you need.
- Make sure the spring can be released quickly and pulled aboard before it can reach the propeller.
- Keep the crew's hands and feet inboard, and use fenders to fend off.
Practise in light conditions before you need it in a strong breeze.
More in the book: Chapter 8, Under power, and in the marina