I have been docking my small (20 foot) sailboat like this for 15 years. (My 170 since 1999). *No* fenders are required (there is no place to put them on the sides of the 170, anyway!). The boat can *not* possibly hit the dock or the boat in the next (left) slip. The two bow lines are clipped into the bow eye; these lines are of fixed length. The aft line to the right dock is also of fixed length and goes to the boats aft cleat. After these are fixed to the dock and boat, I tie the aft line to the dock and lead it from the bow to the aft cleat, and tighten. Then, I loop a line around the dockside bow cleat and lead it aft, and tighten to a dock cleat just aft of midships. Nylon lines all -- they must stretch like springs. The boat cannot hit the dock if the lines are of the correct length and tightness. The key is to really tighten the two adjustable length lines. Tying up once its all set up right is so incredibly easy. Ive never had any problems over 15 years. Others at my dock are astounded. (Whats the big deal?)