Dock Line Length

[Duke 48]

I am looking for recommendations for DOCK LINE length. I am currently using line that is about equal the boat length ~ 30'. So far this has worked well for me, but my experience is limited to floating docks - no experience with fixed piers and tides. Your comments would be appreciated.
Duke

[lolarose]

thats depend which part of the world are you in. in the adriatic it is 10cm diference between low and high water. in channel islands 13meters.

[Duke 48]

For now I expect to be around western Florida and the Bahamas.

[jerrycd36]

Depending on your area of cruising four 30' to 35 ' lengths of line and two 45'- 50' lengths to use as springs should be sufficient in most cases. A couple of extra lines would also be a good idea for those rare times when some imaginative
securing is necessary.

[delmarrey]

While the boat is underway it's best to keep them short enough to stay out of the prop. After mooring/shutdown then one can add longer lines for spring and extra's.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

While the boat is underway it's best to keep them short enough to stay out of the prop. After mooring/shutdown then one can add longer lines for spring and extra's.

Now there speaks a man from experience Oh and yes been there too and got the T shirt, had to take the prop off mid English channel to get the bloody rope out of the prop

For pontoons we like short ropes and manage with 2 x 30ft which double back and form half springs. This keeps the amount of rope lying around on the deck or pontoon to the minimum. However, we carry a selection of long ropes for locks.

Pete

[GordMay]

Generally, the length of bow and stern lines should be about two-thirds of your boat's overall length; whereas spring lines should be approximately the same length as your boat.
Slightly longer dock lines can’t hurt, except in the pocket book and stowage space.