Subject: Chocks vs. Cleats for bow docking lines
For my previous R-25 (Classic) and my current R-21EC the bow docking lines have to pass through straight chocks whereas for the new 2018 R-27 RT has changed this and use a gunwale cleat instead for the docking lines. This has four advantages IMO.
1) Less wear on the docking line using a chock.
2) Length of docking lines required is reduced some (very minor +ive).
3) The absence of a center cleat just aft of the windless reduces the chance of tripping over and/or stubbing one's toes (as I had a tendency to do) and not getting feet under a dock line laying from the center cleat to the gunwale cleat that can also cause one to trip.
4) Attaching two docking lines to the bow center cleat just aft of the windless does to some degree 'overload' the cleat.
For my previous R-25 (Classic) and my current R-21EC the bow docking lines have to pass through straight chocks whereas for the new 2018 R-27 RT has changed this and use a gunwale cleat instead for the docking lines. This has four advantages IMO.
1) Less wear on the docking line using a chock.
2) Length of docking lines required is reduced some (very minor +ive).
3) The absence of a center cleat just aft of the windless reduces the chance of tripping over and/or stubbing one's toes (as I had a tendency to do) and not getting feet under a dock line laying from the center cleat to the gunwale cleat that can also cause one to trip.
4) Attaching two docking lines to the bow center cleat just aft of the windless does to some degree 'overload' the cleat.