How to Leave a Berth Using a Spring Line

To leave a berth with a spring, rig a slipped line around a pontoon cleat and back to the boat, fender the end that will touch, then motor gently against the spring. Motoring ahead against a bow spring swings the stern out; motoring astern against a stern spring swings the bow out. Once the boat is angled well clear, go to neutral, slip the line, pull it in fast and drive away cleanly.

Aerial view of a sailing yacht motoring out between rows of berthed yachts — Leaving a berth cleanly takes a plan before the lines come off. Photo: Yacht Rent from Croatia, CC BY 2.0.

When you need to spring off

If wind or tidal stream is pushing the boat onto the pontoon, simply letting go and motoring off will often just drag the hull along the berth. Springing off uses the engine to pivot the boat against a line so one end points clear into open water before you leave.

Two panels: motoring ahead against a fore spring swings the stern out; motoring astern against an aft spring swings the bow out — Ahead on the fore spring swings the stern out; astern on the aft spring swings the bow out.

Springing the stern out (bow spring)

This is usually the preferred method because the bow, which is hard to fender and to control in wind, stays against the pontoon while the stern swings out.

Rig a bow spring as a slip line: from a bow cleat, round the pontoon cleat aft of the bow, and back to the boat so it can be released from on board.
Put a large fender right at the bow, where it will pivot against the pontoon.
Remove all other lines, keeping a crew member ready with the spring.
Engage ahead gently. The boat pivots on the bow and the stern swings out.
When the boat is at around 30 to 45 degrees to the pontoon, go to neutral, slip the spring and haul it aboard quickly so it cannot reach the propeller.
Motor astern clear of the berth, then ahead once the bow is clear.

Springing the bow out (stern spring)

Rig a slip line from the stern quarter forward to a pontoon cleat, fender the stern quarter well, and motor gently astern. The boat pivots on the stern and the bow swings out. This is useful when there is no room astern, but beware that the bow may blow back down if the wind is strong.

Which spring to use
Spring	Engine	End that swings out
Bow spring (fore spring)	Ahead	Stern
Stern spring (aft spring)	Astern	Bow

Common mistakes

Too much power: gentle revs are enough. Heavy throttle can crush the fender or break a cleat.
A line that will not slip: tie it as a loop round the cleat, never with a knot on the pontoon.
Slow recovery: a trailing line wraps round the propeller very quickly.
No brief: tell the crew who slips, who fends and when, before anything moves.

For more on how springs work, read what are spring lines, then practise in the berthing lesson.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

How do you get off a pontoon when the wind is blowing you on?

Spring off. Rig a bow spring as a slip line, fender the bow and motor gently ahead so the stern swings out into the wind, then slip the line and reverse away.

What is a slip line?

A line led from the boat round a cleat or ring ashore and back aboard, so both ends are on the boat and it can be released and pulled in without anyone on the pontoon.

Is it better to spring the bow or stern out?

Usually the stern, by motoring ahead against a bow spring. It puts the bow, which is harder to protect, against a fender and lets you reverse into clear water.

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