How many lines to carry along?

[Capt.Christian]

If you have the time you can use the old rope to make pudding fenders.

[redhead]

Confessional: Had to look up "twing". In all my years of sailing I never knew it had a name, when necessary to describe it, it went like.."YOU KNOW, that little thingy that attaches.....".

See you do learn something every day if you're not careful.

[valhalla360]

Regularly use 6 lines. Crossed bow and stern and fore and aft spring lines. If there is surge, I might run two sets of spring lines for 8 lines. If it's a floating dock and we are only tied of to one side, still wind up with 5 lines typically (you can't run crossed stern lines as it blocks the adjacent slip)

Add in some spares and a dozen dock lines is a handy number to have. (dingy, running rigging an anchor lines are separate).

I do leave a few spares in the truck as it's handy when you have to tie a load down.

[UNCIVILIZED]

For docking only. In locales where line replacement is relatively easy:
4 Standard Dock Lines, with full spares (plus extras)
3 Long Spring Lines, with full spares (plus extras)
2-4 Long lines with built in Snubbers
2-4 Extra Long (20-40m) Lines for awkward tying up, & or Storm Prep (more for Hurricanes)

Spares for your neighbors, to keep them from landing on you, or breaking loose period.

- Lines are a boat's "transmission, & brakes". So don't skimp.

PS: I'd say that trimming your quiver of sails that thin is a mistake. As is ditching the Spinnaker Poles. As they, & their end fittings tend to be a lot stronger than Whisker Poles, assuming that you have those.

[Canibul]

Nope, no poles. I donated two spinnaker poles to Bob's Bar. And the sails were not anything that we think we'd use. Original 30 year old Arun sails. The main wouldn't even work on the boat now, as the last owner converted it to roller furled main. one of them was a "drifter" that I could put my finger through. And one is a very stiff canvas, orange storm sail that I cannot see us ever needing. There is one more big jib I will bring back to the boat when I can get back to it. Next year.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Canibul

... And I'm trying to figure out how many docking lines to carry. I have enough for at least three or four boats on there now ...

If true, then divide the number of lines you have by 3 or 4.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by GordMay

If true, then divide the number of lines you have by 3 or 4.

You kill me Gordo!

[Tory Salvia]

For singlehanded docking and other singlehanded sailing tips, check our how-to video by Captain Jack Klang. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/captjacksinglehanded
and at Sailing Instruction with Capt. Jack Klang -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6riNBPkIsck

[Canibul]

Not sure what an advertisement for Capt. Jack has to do with the thread, but in any case it's wasted here. Won't get watched. nope. no way.

I think what a lot of "check out our video" people don't seem to get is what it would take for me to go to someplace with the bandwidth to watch their blurbs. I can't watch a youtube video here in the marina. And I think it's rude for people to even TRY to stream vids in a marina. Makes it worse and slower for everyone. This marina doesn't have the bandwidth. Nor anyplace I have planned to be for the next few months. I actually consider that a form of cruising spam.

[Canibul]

Originally Posted by GordMay

If true, then divide the number of lines you have by 3 or 4.

Well, I followed your advice. I divided all my lines into three or four shorter pieces. Now it's even more complicated as I have to tie three pieces together to make a spring line!!

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Canibul

Well, I followed your advice. I divided all my lines into three or four shorter pieces. Now it's even more complicated as I have to tie three pieces together to make a spring line!!

No you didn't. See where imprecision gets you? He said "the number of lines" not "the lines"

(<--That is a condolence bouquet by the way)