Dock Lines - Preferences

hakunamatata

hakunamatata

Member
Aug 18, 2015
210
Southport Marina - Kenosha WI - Lake Michigan
Boat Info
410 Sundancer
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
So when we took posession of the 410 this fall, it was already in storage. The PO left us lines, if that's what you want to call them, so will be looking to replace. I had a mix of double braided and triple strand on the 36 in lengths of 25 to 35', which worked fine and of course these were different brands purchased over the years. I few years back I had ordered double braided docklines on-line and when I got them we never used as they were the stiffest lines ever, the wife hated using them and since she was usually the one handling the lines at the dock, we just made use of what we had. I am now looking to order lines and was just curious what everybody used? Is their a preference of brand, type, size, and for those of you with the 40+ range of boat, what sizes are you going with?

All feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

Erik
 
Hi Erik,

I use the West Marine 5/8" pre-spliced double braided nylon lines at my slip, and I have another full set of the same in 3/4" that I use when we're traveling. I hope this helps.

-Tom
 
I don't really have a brand preference, but regarding the lines you have that are stiff, soaking them in a bucket with some fabric softener will help.
 
Straight braided nylon for me. Nice feel, easy to handle and relatively inexpensive. If you can backsplice, you can buy it in bulk and splice eyes the size "YOU" want rather than a company taking a SWAG at it.

My biggest dig with boat companies is form over function. Placing sexy cleats that won't handle the recommended size line is an RPITA.
 
I was able to find Shoreline brand double-braided nylon docklines on Amazon and they've been fantastic. Stick with 5/8" or larger, and it's always nice to have a pair of 40' available. I thought the 40' would be completely unnecessary, but I find that those are the lines I use most.
 
I had a custom set of 3/4" lines made for the dock and for travel from a local rigging company. They are VERY nice. I think it is New England rope but having custom lines make the boat look so much nicer in the slip. That being said.... it was stupid expensive and more than a boat dollar


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I had a set of 3/4" black double braided nylon lines made for my home slip and I ordered a set of 3/4" pre-spliced double braid nylon traveling lines from Defender during their spring sale. For the traveling set I carry 2-50 footers, 2-40 footers and 4-30 footers. I also carry 4-30 foot three strand pre-spliced 5/8" lines in the event something unusual comes up. As NotHerDecision said, new dock lines, especially when you get into 3/4" or longer lengths is rather expensive.....but an area not worth cheaping out on.
 
Double braided nylon; marina lease required 5/8" for 30' boats so that's what I got for the slip. Pliable and easy to handle, but sturdy as heck: had a huge wind storm and boat bucked badly but lines held well. I'm in a covered slip so they're well protected from daily sun/rain, and are showing no signs of wear at 3 1/2 years of year-round use; YMMV.

I had others that started getting stiff from dirt, so used mesh laundry bags and put them through the washer on gentle with a bit of vinegar. Back in business!!! (You could use pillow cases if you don't have mesh bags; tie them shut with a tight elastic or bit of cord. Be mindful of the load balance/supervise the spin cycle.)
 
I prefer double braided. They just seem to maintain their pliability for much longer. I have whatever is needed for the dock (usually 6) plus 8 additional. 2 x 35 footers in a different color so they are easier to identify. 4 x 25 footers in black. 2 x 15 footers in yet another color. Yes, I'm a nut.
 
It depends on the water conditions where you are. We are now in a marina on a river with both a strong current and tidal swings. As a result i use triple strand nylon. I buy New England Rope in bulk from West and have learned to do my own splices. Heck, if 10 year old girls can braid their hair there is no reason why a boater can't do his own splices. I also bought the NE Rope splice tool kit that contains the various FIDS and poker tools. You don't really reed these for new triple strand as it is pretty playable.

The kit also contains the instructions for doing splices on double braid. There the fids are necessary as they help feed the inner core through the casing. I have found though that to splice anything greater than ⅝" double braid you need a very solid spot to secure one end. You have to really pull on the splice to get the core to flow back into and under the casing. For stuff greater than ⅝" I use one of the concrete filled lally columns in the basement to secure the loop end and another one to attach a come along to stretch the whole thing.

For beginning slicing I'd start with the tripe strand. You can do this sitting on the dock with a G&T after a day of boating. Once you get the hang of it it becomes a snap to make custom length dock lines that you can leave on the dock and then just drop over the right cleat when you come in. By the way, once you pick this up you will find yourself being a very popular guy regularly being invited to come have a sunset G&T and spllce a couple of lines for your dock neighbors!

Henry
 
I use double braided 5/8 black list especially I got from amazon for the home dock but I use old firehouse as chaffing gear to protect them. Don't care if they are stiff because they stay all year in one spot. They are black and silky and since I only adjust them once, they are perfect. For travel, I have new england ropes 3 strand. I figured I should support the company that I trust my life to at work. ( I hang off of new England ropes on a couple tech rescue team) I have various lengths including a couple in 10' for rafting on a ball in Oakland Bluffs
 
Not sure if you are out from the slip and back to the slip - or - if you are a cruiser hitting different marinas.

If you are cruising, grab a couple of longer lines. I have never had a problem with a line that was too long when tying up in a new marina. I have had times when I wished I had a longer line to reach a cleat.

Just a thought,

Mark
 
Haven't gotten to buy new lines for the new boat yet, I'll assess what came with it in the Spring. But I liked braided New England Ropes for the old boat. Whenever they started to get a little stiff I either soaked them in a bucket of fresh water for a day or so or ran them through a commercial washing machine in a mesh bag. I found a little Vinegar instead of detergent in the machine helped to get them clean and loosen them up.
 
We have 1/2" and 3/4". Thin is nice for shorty stay. Thick is nice when you leave your boat in the water over winter. The thick ones seem to pick up splinters off wood docks the thin seen to be a bit tighter weave. Both are braded nylon exterior with stranded core. The thick ones FUZZ on the surface. I have trimmed the FUZZ off a few times. We have two 50 foot 1/2" for going through locks. Shore tie aft is 3/8 floating three strand coil, got 400 feet of that on a water hose real.
If you leave your bow ropes on all the time make the length such they will not reach your propellers.
 
An argument for longer lines when traveling / transient slips is that you can run the line around a piling and back to your boat so leaving is much easier. Looped end on cleat, line around piling, bitter end secured to cleat. Adjust as needed. When leaving, untie bitter end and pull the line back. This is especially helpful if someone comes in after you and puts a line on top of yours. This works for rafting too and leaves less question about whose line is who's.
 
Thanks all for your recommendations as this has given me food for thought on what I want to go ahead and order. Definitely 5/8" which is what I've read was recommended and since we tend to leave the dock quite a bit, I will get some varying lengths for travel. Converse48, I like your idea for color coordinating the different line sizes....never thought to do this.
 
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