Docking queries

[fred1diver]

Hey everyone, tomorrow I pay the piper and buy my new to me Pearson 30, I know it’s still a while before putting her in the water but I was wondering about docking her, more specifically what size fenders would you recommend and the minimum size for dock lines, I was thinking ½” lines, and the last question, how much lines would I need in total? My local chandlery has a sale on now so I would like to get the boat ready for spring

 

[jnorten]

I recall when outfitting my rig that I Googled things and I was able to find recommendation for fender and dock line sizes. I honestly don't recall the specifics (I too have a 30'), but I recall it was pretty easy to find. Consult a couple of sources to double check and then go for it.

I found several dock line options online that were 4 packs. The lines that came with the boat were still serviceable but quite a mismatched hodgepodge. I saved them and they became my transient lines for cruising. The new lines are permanently attached to my home slip and look fairly nice and matched.

 

[Capt Robbie]

before buying any lines check out onlineropestore.com very reasonable and have a lot of good deals on close out sales

 

[dlochner]

Congratulations!

Fenders choices are many and depend alot on the kind of dock they will be used on. For a 30' boat 8" or even 6" diameter will be good choice. At this point don't over buy fenders, 3 or 4 will do until you see how it works on your dock. Also, You have time before launch. There may be fenders on your new boat already. I'd use them first.

½" Docklines should be fine. Again, depending on your dock you'll need 4 or 5, 2 bow lines, 2 springs, 1 stern line. The springs should be long, 25 to 30 feet. The rest can be shorter, depending on your dock. One way to save some money is to buy the line in bulk and splice your own eyes. Eye splices in 3 strand nylon are pretty easy once you get started.

 

[fred1diver]

Yes I was planning on splicing some double braid, did that on my Grampian 26

 

[Dr. D]

Put your hands on some lines. Yes, there is a minimum size line for the length of the boat. OTOH, what is comfortable in your hands? My bow and stern lines are over sized because they are easier for me to grab and manipulate.

 

[BigEasy]

Yes I was planning on splicing some double braid, did that on my Grampian 26

Nice, however, very time consuming! I bought bulk double braid and spliced eyes....the first set. Few years later I shopped online sales and bought pre-spliced.

 

[JoeWhite]

Take a look at other boats of your size and see what they are using

 

[jssailem]

Congrats Fred, on the new to you boat acquisition. This is going to be an exciting summer for you and family.

@dlochner gave you solid info regarding fendersnumber and size of dock lines.

I like to encourage keeping the seamanship skills alive so splicing your own and saving on bulk line is a sensible path.

On the other hand, west marine had a sale 50% off premade lines that caught my eye last year. The price was about the same cost as that of bulk line. Only issue, the lines held my boat safely through two heavy 60 mph wind storms and now are showing the effects of the 36 hour strain.

Pictures of you and your new boat are coming, I hope.

 

[Terry Cox]

We prefer three strand nylon for our dock lines as opposed to double braid. Three strand absorbs shock causing less stress on boat parts. When I splice my eyes, I place a twist in it so as to help prevent the eye from slipping off a cleat.

Very happy with Taylor Made brand fenders in white and size 8" x 20". Guaranteed for life.

https://www.taylormadeproducts.com/products/fenders-and-buoys/boat-fenders/big-b-fenders/

www.taylormadeproducts.com

 

[RoyS]

Plus one for three strand nylon 1/2" dock lines. When searching for a slip, suggest looking for one that permits tying up on the port side, bow in. This for most boats with right hand props will let you stop forward motion while docking by slipping onto reverse while at the same time bringing the stern against the dock thanks to prop walk. You may want a mid ship cleat and a pre-measured aft spring line that will hold the bow just short of the slip end in your home slip. You will make that yourself. For comfort sake consider lining your home slip with attached horizontal fenders so that you do not have to deploy any fenders when entering your slip. Eight inch by twenty inch fenders on board are nice but take up a lot of storage space. I have four of those on my 33 footer. Suggest that your bow dock line not be able to reach your prop. Don't ask.

 

[RoyS]

Very happy with Taylor Made brand fenders in white and size 8" x 20". Guaranteed for life.

Guarantee does not apply to a bored standard poodle thinking he found a grand new chew toy.

 

[Siamese]

Ditto on the three strand. 1/2" will do it.

 

[Terry Cox]

Two other points, Fred. Our boat has mid ship, as well as bow and stern cleats. I made two dock lines long enough to connect the bow/stern cleat to the dock cleat, then back to secure to the mid ship cleat as a spring line, bow and stern. Each line is the length of the boat, which works great.

I also installed dual Taylor Made fender baskets outboard on the stern rail port and starboard. Out of the way, convenient access and secure.

 

[tfox2069]

Your needs - or preferences - may well vary - but West marine often has some good "Advisor" info. Here's one on docklines:

How to Choose the Right Dock Lines | West Marine

And one on fenders:

Choosing the Right Boat Fenders | West Marine

Have fun out there!!

 

[higgs]

Unless your dock experiences rough water 1/2" is plenty. Be sure to check prices on pre spliced line because it is often close to splicing your own eye. It does not take that long to do an eye splice and you can at least customize the size of the loop. I have never been one for simply dropping the loop over a cleat as I have seen them come off even is calm anchorages - it only takes one boat throwing up a wake as it goes by.

 

[Terry Cox]

I have never been one for simply dropping the loop over a cleat as I have seen them come off even is calm anchorages -

That is why I place a twist in the loop when I do my splice. Never had one come off.

 

[higgs]

Further thoughts-you asked about dock line length. When pulling to a dock with someone on the dock assisting it is a good thing to have at least 20 ft so you can throw it to the helper. Any shorter is likely to end up in the water I like to keep my bow line short enough that it won't foul the prop should it end up in the water, but with a shorter boat that is tougher to do while still having enough to throw. I leave my lines on the dock when going out and have them pre adjusted so all I have to do is attach them to the proper cleat. Some of those lines only need to be 10 feet long. I have a separate set of lines for cruising and carry at least six at around 25 ft, though some are shorter. I have 4 large fenders permanently mounted on my dock so I don't worry about setting fenders after a day sail. I carry 4 fenders for cruising. Size I don't remember.

 

[dLj]

how much lines would I need in total?

I have lines that stay at the dock and lines that stay with the boat.

Lines that stay at the dock depend upon where and how you dock. There are many ways to do this. No way I can count lines for your docking unless you can tell exactly how you'll tie up at your dock.

For a "complete" list of lines I carry on my boat, I count two bow lines, two stern lines and 4 springs - 8 lines in total. These I carry on the boat at a minimum. Really, I have several duplicates. As I used to sail where there were 9 meter tides, I tend to think along the line of potentially being in a high tidal shift area, so my springs I typically like to have twice the length of my boat at a minimum and longer is better. I like to carry two lines that are about 100 meters in length.

I find 1/2" to be a bit hard on the hands and prefer 5/8" but you may find that 1/2" is just fine. I also prefer to oversize lines as I never know when I'll be in some conditions that really make me wish for heavy lines...

A lot of what you want to have depends on where you are going to sail and how you are going to use your boat. In summary, the 8 lines to carry on your boat will give you the freedom to dock about anywhere you may be heading from you location in Canada. What you may wish to have at your dock, only you can answer. For permanente dock lines, I'd recommend going up in diamter to allow for some chafe...

dj

p.s. I also perfer three strand over braided (although I'll use either)

 

[Terry Cox]

We cruise year around and will stay out for months at a time. Fenders and dock lines remain with the boat at all times keeping inventory to a minimum, plus just too many sticky fingers. Sailing solo most of the time, rarely will a dock hand be around to assist, which I prefer. Prepping the boat before arrival, bow stern and midship lines all laying at the mid ship point. After stopping, I step off the boat and secure the short midship line first followed by the bow line then the stern. If wind and/or current have an effect on docking I will come in a bit hot to ensure the boat touches the dock before I step off.