Bill Rothwell devises a simple boat pick-up line to make berthing easier
My wife and I are now both in our 80s and find jumping ashore no easy task. If it can be avoided then we avoid it, writes Bill Rothwell.
So I have made this helpful aircraft carrier-type arrester line.
This allows my wife to hook the line with the boat hook without drama – it’s so much easier than trying to catch a cleat on approach.
Our berth on the finger pontoon at Port Solent is to the north side and generally being blown off.
I am not overly quick out of the wheelhouse of our motor-sailer, so this boat pick-up line has proved very useful.
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The boat pick-up line is supported by 5-inch square blocks securely knotted at 20-inch intervals and this keeps the boat pick-up line off the deck at all times making hooking on really easy.
Our boat, the Atlanta 32 Armeria, is to the right of the picture.
The boat pick-up line is on the left side so that when caught it remains on the pontoon and doesn’t drop over the side into the water.
I should mention that our pontoon neighbour is happy for me to put it out when we leave and remove it after return.
Enjoyed reading Easy berthing with a boat pick-up line? 
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