can you fit a springer from stern to marina to hold off the finger ? Then just have air filled type fenders in case you get a big blow and rope stretch ?

Springer to hold off best option. Following image was in 30kt note all masts leaning.
Many boats on the windward side of the finger popped their air filled fenders causing the boat to "climb" the finger and in some cases sever damage on the middle finger cleats.
If possible do what you can to hold the boat off the finger.

I use springers. Well I think I do, but can some one explain to me (maybe a new thread) how using springers will hold your boat off the pontoon. The only way I can get my boat to stay off the pontoon is to tie a mooring line on the other side of the boat pull it back that way.

Sorry to Hi-Jack your thread Parkster.

As far as fenders go, I just use the blue/white blow up ones from Whitworths. I put about 4 on each side when coming into the marina and once tied up, I lift most up onto the deck leaving 2 or 3 close together, where the boat makse contact with the pontoon/finger. Fenders have a terrible habit of scratching the paint work so it pays (or saves) to keep them clean. Fender covers only work when they are also clean. Cheap fender covers can be made made from discount shop long pants with the legs cut off to suit.

For some reason - 'The bigger the boat the smaller the fender'. (That's a joke, but unfortunately too common)

SandS said..

While that drawing might not represent actual positioning of marine cleats, what you have there are four lines tending to pull the bow into the marina and only one line tending to hold it off the marina. I would double up on that and I think the stern cleat on the finger would be further back on the finger usually.

Otherwise yes. That is the general idea.

Thanks guys. Last week on the Tamar River we had 54 knots it was blowing straight on the beam pushing us against marina finger. We had her bow and stern tied off to opposite finger. The windage on rigging was leaning her over until her toe rail was level with pontoon. Not an ideal place to be, I think I would rather be on a swing mooring in a blow!