I bought some flat pads from west marine. Sometimes I lash them to the pilings. Surprisingly the piling faces are usually soft pine, that is easy on the rub rail

Brian, I think I know what you mean. That type of slip is a "U" shaped slip where you tie off to 4 points?

Yes, I "got away with it" when I tied up in that pic without fenders or post covers. The 4x4's are pretty soft pine and the rubrail was unaffected.

Yep, you got it. Tie the aft of the boat criss-cross; to the dock. And tie the front midship cleats so they spring the boat forward, off the dock at the rear. Typically, with springs such as these, you don't have to worry about tides, which is of concern in tidal widers & fixed docks.

Here are a couple of pics. This is the east side of Fork Island. It can get really rough there.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2...D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2...D550/ry%3D400/

I've never had any issues docking this way. I don't like to have fenders rubbing on my Imron, even with fender covers.

Ok, I can see the large fender on the swim platform and then the 2 post bumpers, forward. Very nice setup!
Black Flagship Elite is a beautiful paint treatment!

I was at Lake Winni in NH this year and the house we rented was similar good enough for a week. What I use at our home docks are mooring whips the best $300-400 you will spend.