R23 swimstep cleat for mooring?

[Sunart]

I’m in a big slip and the cleats on the dock are so far apart my stern swings 4 to 5 feet off the dock in the current. It’s because the stern and spring lines are at such a shallow angle.

Using the cleat on the swim step solves the problem but I’m not sure if it’s robust enough to use continuously.

Any thoughts?

 

[JohnRanger22]

I’m in a big slip and the cleats on the dock are so far apart my stern swings 4 to 5 feet off the dock in the current. It’s because the stern and spring lines are at such a shallow angle.

Using the cleat on the swim step solves the problem but I’m not sure if it’s robust enough to use continuously.

Any thoughts?

I have an R23 as well and I was told NOT to use the platform cleat; however, I had the same problem and decided as long as I was keeping both lines about evenly tight, it spread the load when I boarded. So I have been doing it over three years now with no apparent negative effect.

 

[Sunart]

John, thanks for the information. I was actually able to improve things by moving the boat forward so the spring lines are equal length and this is keeping the boat closer. Still not perfect but it will work until I’m able to move to a smaller slip.

 

[watson1987]

Same problem on the R31, and have also heard that the rear cleats are basically just to attach your dingy to.

In marinas that are calm (i.e. have a break wall) I have used them in combination with the following shock absorber. I've only used this on trips while cruising where I'm on/off the boat often. I wouldn't leave it for weeks/months on end in my home marina (even though it has a break wall too)

https://www.westmarine.com/davis-instruments-minishockles-P016253957.html

 

[SKing]

I use the swimstep cleat to keep the step closer to the dock when traveling and my wife and niece are on board. But I only use the opposite side of the boat cleat. Being 9ft away, this allows the boat to move up and down without putting any stress on the cleat. I do this because when our niece was 8 she missed the swimstep at night and disappeared under water. Fortunately she poped up unhurt. Very scary for all of us.