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

[friz]

Originally Posted by CruiseN

https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Dock-Lines

Good explanation of the lines I should use on my boat. Thank you.

[sailingharry]

Nylon is the material of choice, of course.


Double braid is by far the most popular, and equally by far the least suitable construction. If you look at the specs, double braid has very little stretch even in nylon. Three strand is a huge step up, but the very best is the multi-plait construction like New England ropes mega braid.


I am a bit counterculture on diameter, preferring smaller than normally specified. On my 43-footer, I use 1/2-in lines. It is a trade-off between the durability of larger lines and the stretch of smaller lines. I do watch them closely for chafe.


I also just replaced my fender lines. As mentioned earlier in thread, that is all about preference. I went with solid braid 3/8 Dacron. Seem to be a inexpensive but nice feeling and handling line.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-x-100-f...-/184556158685

[skenn_ie]

You should have 4 dock lines. Bow and stern, plus 2 "springs".

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by skenn_ie

You should have 4 dock lines. Bow and stern, plus 2 "springs".

This sounds perfect for when tied at one side to a wharf; however, in a slip and tied to port and starboard, you might choose to double the number. This is especially true if you're exposed to much wake, tide, or weather.

[skenn_ie]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

This sounds perfect for when tied at one side to a wharf; however, in a slip and tied to port and starboard, you might choose to double the number. This is especially true if you're exposed to much wake, tide, or weather.

Amend to read "at least 4", then a few spares for storm precautions.

[Mickeyrouse]

Poly floats. It’s cheap. That’s about it for it’s favorable attributes. It degrades comparatively quickly in sunlight. It is very slippery, meaning knots don’t stay tied as well. It’s the weakest of probably any synthetic on the market.
I’ve got 5/8” Nylon Samson dock lines on our 40 ft boat that has a floating weight of 25,000 lbs. Three are 39 years old, and have been through several hurricanes and countless northers. After a while they get dirty and mildewed. I pressure wash them, and they look like new. Nylon acts as a surge shock absorber, easy on deck and dock fittings. Dacron is probably stronger, but without nylon’s stretchiness, is harder on the cleats- or more accurately, the deck they’re secured to.
As far as fender lines, their short length doesn’t generally need much elasticity.

[Mickeyrouse]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Wait!!!


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

Do you mean there’s something else besides the butane whip?

[SuW]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

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

Ah, wasn't it the late, great Brion Toss that called this the "Butane Backsplice"?

A soldering iron will also do an OK job, especially if you buy a spade-type bit. Even better, a temperature-controlled soldering iron, so you can just melt the rope instead of burning it into black.

I like Sailrite's Edge hotknife (a knock off of the original Engel) especially if you're going to be cutting heavy synthetic fabric for marine applications. (Again, it's a bit hot, but you can control the temperature by cycling the switch.)

[GoneDiving]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke

... is there a way to cut the frayed ends off and use some sort of heat source to terminate them?

Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

I'll get a hot knife for this.....one day.

Until then I just use a small butane lighter. The type favoured by crack heads and dope fiends. 😁. Here they are refillable and available from any tobacco or cigarette shop for a couple of bucks and have multiple other uses on board (heat shrink etc).

[Mickeyrouse]

I suggest wrapping a piece of tape around the end before you apply the heat- keeps everything neat. Since we don’t smoke, our butane sources are the ubiquitous fire starters found aboard used for lighting stoves and grills. Matches work, but usually burn out before you get much done…but there’s usually another match.

[Martkimwat]

Originally Posted by StuM

All I can say is: try it and then report back to us.
Here's two sets of instructions from the same source for you to work from:

3 strand: 1 page, four steps:
https://www.samsonrope.com/docs/defa...ul2012_web.pdf

Double Braid: 5 pages 8 steps, plus lock stitching:
https://www.samsonrope.com/docs/default-source/splice-instructions/dblbrd_c1_eye_splice_web.pdf

I agree three strand is much easier and usually doesn't even need any tools if you heat seal the three ends and form them into a point with wet fingers (quickly!) only need a pair of scissors or sharp knife two start cutting out strands once you 've made you first 4 or five tucks on each strand so as to get a nice taper but double braid looks and handles nicer and it's really not that difficult once you've done it a few times and it's very satisfying too...! I use 12mm for my 26 footer so probably a bit OTT but it's easier to handle. My shortest are 10M which seems to work well, wouldn't want them any shorter so I guess 1.25 x boat length seems about right.

[SuW]

Originally Posted by Martkimwat

I agree three strand is much easier and usually doesn't even need any tools if you heat seal the three ends and form them into a point with wet fingers (quickly!) only need a pair of scissors or sharp knife two start cutting out strands once you 've made you first 4 or five tucks on each strand so as to get a nice taper but double braid looks and handles nicer and it's really not that difficult once you've done it a few times and it's very satisfying too...! I use 12mm for my 26 footer so probably a bit OTT but it's easier to handle. My shortest are 10M which seems to work well, wouldn't want them any shorter so I guess 1.25 x boat length seems about right.

Yes, the heftier lines are easier to handle and usually coil better. Also, they seem to throw a lot better when coming into a dock ("Aim for the head!")

Also, consider the uses for your dock lines and perhaps have a couple of extra long boat handling lines, which can double as spare anchor rode. From time-to-time, we've had to warp our boats from one wharf to another without the engine, or turn the boat around more-or-less within her length.

[doctorbill]

3 strand for dock lines and spring lines.
Length - at least half boat length for your 2 bow and 2 stern lines and full boat length for your 2 spring lines.

Buy in bulk and cut to length. Wrap line with painters tape and then hold a butter knife with oven mitt and heat on boat stove open flame until red hot. Cut line smoothly melting through (may need to stop and re-heat knife).

Most adaptable configuration is open ends on lines and just cleat hitch both ends when docking. Also don't have loops that can snag things when retrieving lines onto boat when casting off. For a more "permanent" long term marina set up you can eye splice a galvanized thimble and secure line to dock cleat with galvanized chain. Then cleat hitch on boat to adjust perfectly. Leave lines on dock when going out to sail (with this set up, unless only day sailing, you will need another set of bow and stern lines on board).

Take the time to whip the ends with colored whipping twine - it makes finding the ends very easy and looks salty.

[Martkimwat]

Originally Posted by SuW

Yes, the heftier lines are easier to handle and usually coil better. Also, they seem to throw a lot better when coming into a dock ("Aim for the head!")

Also, consider the uses for your dock lines and perhaps have a couple of extra long boat handling lines, which can double as spare anchor rode. From time-to-time, we've had to warp our boats from one wharf to another without the engine, or turn the boat around more-or-less within her length.

Yes, I carry two lengths of 50M dock lines for when I am rafted out (often been on a raft out and been the fifth and once the sixth boat out.. one of the disadvantages of being one of the smaller boats

[SuW]

Originally Posted by Martkimwat

Yes, I carry two lengths of 50M dock lines for when I am rafted out (often been on a raft out and been the fifth and once the sixth boat out.. one of the disadvantages of being one of the smaller boats

Yes, good call. And raft mooring at canal-sides (or possibly fishing wharves where the tidal range is 15m/45 feet, like Bay of Fundy).