Dock Line Preference

[arknoah]

A really basic question: what dock line do you use (diameter, etc.) I need to purchase new dock line for the marina we're moving to. I could always go to West Marine, but we all know the markup I might deal with there. For a Mac 25 with normal load, is 3/8" line of twisted nylon good enough, or is there a better choice?

Thanks!

 

[justsomeguy]

It may very well be up to the individual marina? I read of one marina that requires 1/2" white, double braid. And if it's worth doing, overdo it. Just don't buy any of that red poly stuff like I did. IT BLEEDS! (But it was cheap)

 

[MrBill_FLL]

Define 'good enough' is that in normal conditions, but you'll have time to run down and put the 1/2 or 5/8" when the big storm kicks in? (or double them up).

or, do you want something that will keep the boat secure in all weather conditions, even if you get some chafing when the big storm comes thru?

a lot depends on the marina, where it is in relation to wind/current/protection.

personally I'd get a spool of 1/2" 3 strand for the dock, and braid your own eyes, and nicer pre-spliced double braid for the bow and 1 or 2 stern for when you dock for lunch.

YMMV.


-but its hard to have too much line aboard.

 

[arknoah]

Something tells me I'm not going to do my own splices, but I do think I will go to the 1/2 inch versus the 3/8. My marina doesn't have any specific requirements that I'm aware of. It's located on a naval air station, and they refer to themselves as a "common sense marina."

 

[JohnShannon]

How heavy is your boat? 1/2 nylon line has a breaking strength of 7500 lbs.
Seems to me more than enough. Nylon is preferred as it is stretchy so the shock loads are lower. Three strand is easy to splice, you can download pictures and videos go for it.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

-I've seen lines sawed more than half rubbing on the concrete docks in 3 days time.

but john is right, the 3/8 is fine if there is no chafing, or in normal conditions.

thus my opinion on using double braid when you are handling lines and on the boat, and thicker for when you won't be able to make a correction when needed.

-if your boat breaks free, you are responsible for the damage to others.
-check your insurance.

and what's the total cost difference?

your boat, your call. GL!

 

[JohnShannon]

So the issue isn't so much the original strength of the line, the issue is about preserving the line that you have. If you went all the way to 1" line but were in a chafing situation then the thicker line would buy you some time, but left untended the end result is the same, line parts. I've seen people use regular garden hose to protect docking lines at chafe points so the solution doesn't have to be expensive.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

from what I read on Practical sailor garden hose is not a good choice, due to heat/friction.
PS said, a leather overwrap is the way to go.

3/8" is probably fine, 98% of the time.

I just prefer to go bigger, since its not that much more $, and the cost of a failure is so much higher. (same with anchor rodes, thicker is better if might encounter some chafing)

Should your dock lines fail, the boat could get pretty beat up or damage another boat or dock... and the cost in time and money just aren't worth it (to me).

just my .02 cents...

 

[zeehag]

i like 3/4 in line to 1 in 3-strand line with firehose as my antichafe---works great for my needs and for rough water marinas, as in ensenada....
3 strand has a lot more stretch that does snot braid and wont snap under extreme conditions as i have seen on mre than one occasion-- was the reason we had so many breakaways in our last big wind in sd...... the lines just snapped and let the boats sail away with no one on board. winds were in excess of 40 kts. gusts were much higher. i LOVE my ugly 3 strand lines.

 

[arknoah]

Just got some 1/2 inch yesterday. Thanks.