Well meaning, over-helpful types on pontoons will often offer to take your bow line as you approach. There’s no hurry, though – and many of them will yank hard on it as soon as it touches their hands, ruining your perfectly-judged approach, swinging the stern out and generally making life difficult. It’s often better to let them help once you’re alongside, or at least tell them, kindly but firmly, not to pull on the rope until you say so!

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