Many small sailboats, in the under-28-foot range, do not have sufficient room for midship cleats to allow for using spring lines in docking situations. Fortunately many small sailboats have slotted aluminum toerails.

Simply purchase, for around 20 dollars, a four-inch stainless steel carabiner from your favorite chandlery and attach it in the toerail. Once in the right spot, you will be able to tie your spring lines from there. You will have to use a bowline to attach to the carabiner and cleat the line on the dock.

To prevent toerail chafe, slice lengthwise through a 1/2-inch hose, then slip it over the rail and roll some tape around it to secure.

Adding a spring line this way gave additional security to our sailboat at the dock.

– Umberto Napolitano