Docking lines...

M

mariner36

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Joined
May 6, 2009
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31220
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442
I am going to replace all my docking lines for this season. Last year we used 5/8" 25' "double braided" lines from west marine.

They did not wear well, and the outer sheath suffered from chaffing.

This year I want to order a new set of pre-spliced lines from Boatfix.

For a 36', 20,000lb boat, is 5/8" optimal?

What type of docking line has the best wear resistance, or would be the best choice?

We are on a floating finger dock on our starboard side and have 2 pilings to tie off on the port side.

Thanks for the help.
 
the problem wasn't the lines you used. You need chafe protectors or you'll have the same problem no matter what you buy. I use those canvas chafe guards with velcro. Solved the problem.
 
I use clear plastic tubing...We dock against a cement wall, and the tubing saves the lines...
 
I use washing machine drain hose, smooth inside, black to block sun and cheap.
 
You definitely need some chafing covers. The ones Gregory recommended are quick and easy. I use some clear plastic tubing as chafing guards.I picked it up at Home depot. The clear plastic doen't leave any marks on the white hull. Hy
 
Yes, 5/8 is proper size line. You might consider 3 strand over braided fot the extra stretch capability.
Ron
 
I have a 36 and use 5/8 bow and stern lines, and 1/2 for springs 3 strand, got them here at Boat Fix.
I've had them for several years and no guards and no chaffing.
 
On my fixed dock lines in the home slip I bought the leather chafe protectors and sewed them onto the lines where needed.
When docking I always know exactly where to cleat the line because of the chafe guards.
 
I had a stern line chafe all the way through. That's a lesson to use chafe guards but more importantly, inspect your lines on a regular basis. In some cases, you can rotate the lines (bow to stern, etc.) to reduce chafing in one spot.
 
5/8 would be fine with suggestions made above. We use megabraid for our regular docks lines, and carry a similar set for travel. WM rigger put my splices in, due to the fact I didn't know how to splice 12 strand.
 
Thanks for the responses. I will add chaffing gear as listed above.

I wasn't sure what type of lines are best for docking, megabraid, triple strand, etc...

I also have a couple of 35' 3/4" lines I put on when away from the boat.

We have found that most of the dock cleats in our area are not big enough to handle lines of this size, so if 5/8's works, that is the way to go.
 
Ordinary 3-strand nylon is a good all-purpose line, I don't use anything else. Easy to splice, too.

Bear in mind that your lines could well be stronger than the cleats you fasten them to.
 
Although braided is a stronger and prettier line, I don't recommend it
for permanent docking. The reason being the braided line is stiffer and
does not absorb chock as opposed to normal 3-strand. IMHO, the best all
around solution is 3-strand with the proper splicing and chafing protection,
and leave the pretty braided lines for rafting and travel-occasional use.
Regards,
H
 
Double braid nylon vs. 3 strand nylon:

Double braid has a much higher breaking strength than the same diameter 3 strand. While 3 strand will 'stretch' more than DBN, it doesn't recover as well. DBN actually has more elasticity, and distributes strain along it's length, where three strand takes a strain 'rotationally' (if that's a word) - beats up the line. Also, after a season in the sun, DBN will handle much better than three strand. Also don't have to worry about kinks and hockles, nor does DBN have a lay to it - in other words, three strand can only be coiled in one direction (with the lay), whereas DBN can lay any which way. The advantages that 3 strand retains over DBN are cost and ease of splicing.

Chafing:
Double braid has the advantage here, as well. Due to the 'rotationality' (pretty sure that one's not a real word, but best I can come up with to explain what I mean), the chafing will eat yarns and fibers across all three strands at a single chafe point, where with DBN it only eats at one spot on the cover.

Chafing gear:
Old fire hose works awesome, but is by no means elegant. That velcro/canvas/nylon type stuff is great - easy to place, adjust, looks sharp, and doesn't pinch strands.

Whichever line you're looking at, though, make sure that you're not comparing your boat's displacement directly to the breaking strength (BS). The safe working load (SWL) will be well below the BS and varies with the type and manufacture of line. Also consider that a pitching boat doesn't pull an even strain - it'll be shockloading the lines.
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Other Gary

On my fixed dock lines in the home slip I bought the leather chafe protectors and sewed them onto the lines where needed.
When docking I always know exactly where to cleat the line because of the chafe guards.

Click to expand...


Never heard of leather chafe guards (except for that one fellow in the Village People). Do you have pix. The way my boat sits in the slip, I'm thinking leather would be easiest on the gel coat.
 
quote:
Originally posted by November Charlie

Double braid nylon vs. 3 strand nylon:

Double braid has a much higher breaking strength than the same diameter 3 strand. While 3 strand will 'stretch' more than DBN, it doesn't recover as well. DBN actually has more elasticity, and distributes strain along it's length, where three strand takes a strain 'rotationally' (if that's a word) - beats up the line. Also, after a season in the sun, DBN will handle much better than three strand. Also don't have to worry about kinks and hockles, nor does DBN have a lay to it - in other words, three strand can only be coiled in one direction (with the lay), whereas DBN can lay any which way. The advantages that 3 strand retains over DBN are cost and ease of splicing.

Chafing:
Double braid has the advantage here, as well. Due to the 'rotationality' (pretty sure that one's not a real word, but best I can come up with to explain what I mean), the chafing will eat yarns and fibers across all three strands at a single chafe point, where with DBN it only eats at one spot on the cover.

Chafing gear:
Old fire hose works awesome, but is by no means elegant. That velcro/canvas/nylon type stuff is great - easy to place, adjust, looks sharp, and doesn't pinch strands.

Whichever line you're looking at, though, make sure that you're not comparing your boat's displacement directly to the breaking strength (BS). The safe working load (SWL) will be well below the BS and varies with the type and manufacture of line. Also consider that a pitching boat doesn't pull an even strain - it'll be shockloading the lines.

Click to expand...


Please explain to me how a line with parallel strands, running longitudinally along the core of a braided line can have more elasticity than a 3 braided one, which actually stretches by giving up torsional tension rotationally stored (There's your word. It does exist) during the laying up-manufacturing process?

H
 
+1 on fire hose for chafing protection. I bought a 50' line off ebay for a good price. It looks fine and is easy to install. The velcro doesn't last as well, has come undone and it a lot more expensive.
 
KiDa, Gargle "leather chafe guard" for links to several kits...

Essentially this is a strip of leather sewn into a sleeve around the line. It is designed to fall apart ( before the line does... ). Leather chafe guards have been around since Cleopatra made google-eyes at Caesar.

Leather has been a bit difficult to find for a few years, but this makes a very good and used to be cheap, way to protect lines.
 
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