Best dock lines?

[evm1024]

A quick search....

BoatUS - BoatTech - Docklines by Don Casey

Nylon only

In pursuit of dock lines that do not stiffen with age, some rope manufacturers have in recent years begun offering pre-spliced dock lines made from "stretchy" polyester. These may be good for large boats in protected marinas, but for tying your boat to whatever dock, slip, pier, or seawall you might encounter, you should skip right over all rope labeled polyester or Dacron or Kevlar or Spectra or any other fancy name. The right rope for dock lines is plain old nylon.

[barnakiel]

We use plain polyester. Works fine, does not stiffen and is inexpensive.

If you need more stretch (say your berth is exposed to wash, etc.), then you can use rubber wrap-me-rounds.

b.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

...you can use rubber wrap-me-rounds.

b.

In the US you can get them from a machine in the loo.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

In the US you can get them from a machine in the loo.

Really? I thought those were just for chafe protection.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Bash

Really? I thought those were just for chafe protection.

This thread just took a really strange turn........sorta reminds me about a video game involving lounge lizards.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

This thread just took a really strange turn........sorta reminds me about a video game involving lounge lizards.

Hey! We're discussing nautical technology here.

(Maybe merge with the thread on weather gear">foul weather gear?)

[Kettlewell]

I like double-braid nylon for dock lines. Easier to handle, seems to chafe a lot less at chocks, they last a lot longer then three-strand nylon, easier to throw a long way without tangling and falling into the water between boat and dock. Most people have a tough time throwing a length of three-strand any distance--it is a bit of an art to do it right. And, you occasionally have to do it when docking. Also, double braid nylon piles into a locker nicely.

[Blue Crab]

I apologize to Mr Kettlewell and other serious posters: I am a complete idiot.

[Blue Crab]

Wait ... wait! Here's the best dock line I've ever used:

"You gals wanna go out in the boat and have some fun?" Over a 50 year period, this has worked twice.

Now it's time to go eat some turkey. Instead of crow. Happy Holiday!

[Kettlewell]

Your avatar makes me wish we were having a mess of crabs for Thanksgiving. A marina I used to live at in South Carolina threw a come-one-come-all Thanksgiving feast every year. There would be everything there from turkey, to shrimp and crabs right off the boat, to roast pig, bear, and alligator. A couple of hundred people would show up, and everyone brought something if they could, though a lot of poor folks showed up also. It was an amazing feast and get together.

[GaryMayo]

This thread is a wonder. Nylon, two types of poly, double braid, single braid, twisted, and the reasons for picking a favorite, so varried.

www.atwoodrope.net

Not the best, as the thread asks, but this is my poison of choice. Purchase it locally at a farm store, because it is so handy. Not much for marine stores in Nebraska. Double braid 5/8" UV resistant, rot resistant, floats, polypropylene with a break strength of 3000 pounds, 300 pounds working load. USA made.

After a short season, and one full season, line is showing ZERO signs of fatigue or failure. Still looks new.

I tie my 4500 pound displacement sailboat with four lines, and three 25 foot spring lines in a protected slip on a tiny lake. Doubt it will break free and make a run for it anytime soon.

Don't care for the look or feel of twisted dock lines. However, if my circumstances dictated it, I would use whatever lines were prudent to make sure my boat, and others boats around me, were safe and secure.

The white and blue design very well matches my sailboat.

[Kettlewell]

In your case the polypro makes sense and does the job, but I wouldn't recommend it for heavier cruising sailboats. For one thing, the breaking strain for 5/8" nylon double braid is in the vicinity of 15,000 lbs.