What if any are the advantages of dock lines that 'floatt. I dock in a semi-private slip and can't quite figure out if there's any advantage, other than not losing a line if it happens to slip past you and into the dink. Thanx in advance,
Floating dock lines
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UV Problems
I think that all the lines that will float are polypropelene (sp) and are not uv proof. They will be destroyed by the sun after a period of time. Besides, you are suppose to keep them out of the water or they will turn green from algee.
I think that all the lines that will float are polypropelene (sp) and are not uv proof. They will be destroyed by the sun after a period of time. Besides, you are suppose to keep them out of the water or they will turn green from algee.
Floating Lines
I don't know what advantage they would be for docking but they sure are great on a mooring. I use them on mine because they don't wrap around the mooring chain.They are available at nearly any length, pre-spliced, UV resistant, mildew resistant, and in nearly any color you want.
I don't know what advantage they would be for docking but they sure are great on a mooring. I use them on mine because they don't wrap around the mooring chain.They are available at nearly any length, pre-spliced, UV resistant, mildew resistant, and in nearly any color you want.
Indeed
Calf. Ted's point is germaine to tow lines for dinghies. Use the yellow propyline lines to avoid the lines sinking and fowling the rudder or prop. Other than that, stick with conventional line for all other uses.
Calf. Ted's point is germaine to tow lines for dinghies. Use the yellow propyline lines to avoid the lines sinking and fowling the rudder or prop. Other than that, stick with conventional line for all other uses.
Actually, lately I've been using some lines
made by Samson which are available at Walmart (world's largest cheapest chandlery) in a blue double braid poly 3/8 by 20' for less than $6 each. Sun just eats stuff here so I replace very year for less than $25, tried them for cheap price as opposed to floating qualities. They are left on the dock & probably less chance of fouling by myself & others should they blow in or something. After service as a dockline it becomes a dinghy painter or the line tied to the bottom of swim ladder, etc. I'm not really a proponent of poly line because it is so very poor in resistance to UV but it has worked well for me in this use with the caveat that it is not to be trusted with a "load" after exposure to the sun.
made by Samson which are available at Walmart (world's largest cheapest chandlery) in a blue double braid poly 3/8 by 20' for less than $6 each. Sun just eats stuff here so I replace very year for less than $25, tried them for cheap price as opposed to floating qualities. They are left on the dock & probably less chance of fouling by myself & others should they blow in or something. After service as a dockline it becomes a dinghy painter or the line tied to the bottom of swim ladder, etc. I'm not really a proponent of poly line because it is so very poor in resistance to UV but it has worked well for me in this use with the caveat that it is not to be trusted with a "load" after exposure to the sun.
ed
Poly lines float but dont streach. so when the boat jerks on its lines they dont streach either the rope or the cleat they are tied to breaks. they age fast in the sun get brittle.
Poly lines float but dont streach. so when the boat jerks on its lines they dont streach either the rope or the cleat they are tied to breaks. they age fast in the sun get brittle.
Nylon only...w/floats
The negatives for poly's are to numerous. I use Nylon three strand (5/8 for my 5000# boat). I splice in galvanized thimbles with a shackle for the 'sliders' and backspice or measure exactly for an eye on the boat end. I also place a small float, looks like a larger version of those you find on the top edge of small seines, in line before back splicing. The float helps keep the line up and easy to snag with a hook, but does not leave the rope so exposed to UV. No, at my type od bertn it is unnecessary to coil them up on the dock, and impossible to do on the outer pilings anyway. Remember this though, a dockline MUST have all the stretch possible to work properly, and nylon 3strand is a proven material for this. Even quiet lakeside docks have occasional storms, the powers that be suddenly decide to raise or lower, or some jackass puts his Scarab into the bathtub and creates 3 foot wakes. At those times it's either the dockline or the boats hardware that has to absorb the shock. g'Lik
The negatives for poly's are to numerous. I use Nylon three strand (5/8 for my 5000# boat). I splice in galvanized thimbles with a shackle for the 'sliders' and backspice or measure exactly for an eye on the boat end. I also place a small float, looks like a larger version of those you find on the top edge of small seines, in line before back splicing. The float helps keep the line up and easy to snag with a hook, but does not leave the rope so exposed to UV. No, at my type od bertn it is unnecessary to coil them up on the dock, and impossible to do on the outer pilings anyway. Remember this though, a dockline MUST have all the stretch possible to work properly, and nylon 3strand is a proven material for this. Even quiet lakeside docks have occasional storms, the powers that be suddenly decide to raise or lower, or some jackass puts his Scarab into the bathtub and creates 3 foot wakes. At those times it's either the dockline or the boats hardware that has to absorb the shock. g'Lik
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