Need to replace my dock lines and fender lines; best material?

[Ken Pole]

FWIW, and with no disrespect to my many friends in the military and their suppliers, "milspec" is a much-abused term which all too often indicates the product being described is supplied by the lowest bidder.

[Enfant Du Vent]

Does anyone else forego the stretchiness of nylon for the it-floats-and-won't-foul-the-prop-when-dropped of poly dock lines?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Enfant Du Vent

Does anyone else forego the stretchiness of nylon for the it-floats-and-won't-foul-the-prop-when-dropped of poly dock lines?

Nope….for me they don’t last in the sun and don’t stretch enough to handle the Wales from the ICW.

[Hudson Force]

I usually kept a couple hundred feet of 5/16" 3-strand nylon anchor rode which I used for kedging off mud and sand bars; line to shore from the stern with the bow out on a chain; even an assist to get me off a dock with a stiff breeze pressing me against it; ...etc. I always found it safest to keep a long piece of line.

This line was always my source of "new" dock lines after it gained some warn areas and chafe marks that I could cut out. I always liked to have at least four longer dock lines for springs (about the length of my boat) and four breast lines (about half the length of my boat). I didn't often need them this long, but I cruised to many places and sometimes found myself in slips or docks that required these longer lines. I also kept my dock lines without spliced loops. This is best if your cruising to many places as you don't always have access to pass a loop over a piling or on a bollard. You can always make a quick loop, maybe big enough to "cowboy" it onto a far piling when needed.

'always good to repurpose and recycle when you can!

[sailingabe41ds]

Originally Posted by Phyrcooler

WestMarine branded double-braid dock lines are made by New England Ropes, and are quality stuff. They’re frequently on sale for 20% - 25% off, so watch/wait for the sales to avoid the WestMarine high prices. There are some on sale even now as I write this.

I just bought a set today...they were on sale.

abe

[Jim Cate]

I usually kept a couple hundred feet of 5/16" 3-strand nylon anchor rode which I used for kedging off mud and sand bars

5/16 inch? Surely not, Hudson, for that would be awfully small for either kedge rode or dock lines for your boat. 5/8" perhaps?

Jim

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Rick Williams

I like to replace some running rigging and use the old stuff for dock lines/spring lines.
I get running rigging isn't meant to stretch but for me it's a twofer: new sheets, newish dock lines.

And much more shock loading on deck and dock fittings

[Moana Bella]

And to answer your question about frayed ends. You can buy a hot knife for a bit more than $100 - sometimes less online. I use mine heaps to tidy up ends on all the lines.

[CruiseN]

Originally Posted by Clivevon

Gee, I'm a lazy s*d. Just tie a bowline for fenders - or almost anything. I do eye splice the main dock lines - eventually.

Loving your style.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Awesome posts... thanks everyone! Looks like I'm going to West Marine again real soon.

I do single-hand a lot and my two dock lines (shown in the pic in my first post) are long and I use the bow line also as the spring line, since it's really long, and I use the stern line also as a spring line, since again, it's really long. I like the system and has kept my vessel safe for almost five years now.

5/8ths sounds good... will post photos of my purchases. Thank you!!

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke

I'd like to replace my 2 dock lines and 5 fender lines that the fenders hang on.

What's the best material for each type? Thickness? It's a 40-foot monohull.

Dock lines

5/8" line would be customary regardless of material, but be sure it will fit the cleats on the dock and aboard and adjust if necessary.


If you are only using two dock lines then you're probably on a floating dock in a protected harbor and so material doesn't really matter much. Use whatever you like. Under less certain circumstances at least four lines would be customary, a bow line, a stern line, and two spring lines.


Here's a rundown of your choices:

1. Double braid polyester. Looks nice, easy on the hands, lack of stretch means the cleat loads will be much higher. Some people add a rubber snubber to make up for the lack of stretch
2. Three ply nylon. Proper amount of stretch, but harder to coil and uses up the most space when stored. Easy to splice
3. 12 ply nylon. Not quite as much stretch but good enough, coils easily and stows in less space, a little harder to find and not available in colors

Fender lines

In your home slip, try to attach fenders to the dock instead of the boat.


Use scraps of leftover rope in a size that fits the eye of the fender. If you do not have leftover rope, replace a sheet or something and then you'll have some. Alternatively, buy rope from the chandler for the fenders and pay someone to whip it for you Won't work any better but you can support the local economy

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Moana Bella

And to answer your question about frayed ends. You can buy a hot knife for a bit more than $100 - sometimes less online. I use mine heaps to tidy up ends on all the lines.

Wait!!!


I thought that was why they invented BIC lighters!!!

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke

I do single-hand a lot and my two dock lines (shown in the pic in my first post) are long and I use the bow line also as the spring line, since it's really long, and I use the stern line also as a spring line, since again, it's really long. I like the system and has kept my vessel safe for almost five years now.

When I moved to the US PNW, i.e., BC PSW!!!, I was aghast at the use of this kind of tie up.


I learned how to use bull rails but for goodness sake, NOT being able to release ANY single line when required, without having it connected to something else, is pure folly.



I think.


Each line should have a single, and undeniable, purpose.



And be able to be released on its own.


Ya want macrame? Go quilt. :sm ile:

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

5/16 inch? Surely not, Hudson, for that would be awfully small for either kedge rode or dock lines for your boat. 5/8" perhaps?

Jim

You're right,- for sure! Thanks for noticing this.

[edlepera]

I replace mine as needed. 3 strand nylon off a reel. I cut 4 lengths into 25 feet and 2 lengths 50 feet. I don’t splice eyes. I just whip the ends with beeswax sail-twine. Then melt the ends