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Step 1
Make two spring-loaded lines by tying two cinder blocks to two long, sturdy lines. Pass one end of each line through an eye hook secured to a post on each side of the boat. The cinder blocks should hang down from the eye hooks into the water. Cleat the other end of each line onto the respective sides of the boat.
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Step 2
Secure the front of the boat with bowlines. These fixed lines prevent the bow of the boat from moving any great distance. Tie one end of each line to the bow of the boat and the other end to the dock, pier or slip. Leave some slack in the lines to allow for tidal changes.
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Step 3
Cleat the stern of the boat to the dock with stern lines. Again, leave some slack in the lines to allow for the tides.
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Step 4
Keep the boat from moving fore and aft with spring lines. Tie one end of a strong line to the pier or dock toward the bow of the boat. From there, run the line up and around a cleat amidships, without tying it, so that the line can move around the cleat. Once the spring line is looped around the cleat, run it down to a cleat on the dock toward the stern of the boat.
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Step 5
Protect all of your docking lines with chafe guards where they rub against the dock or any other surface.
