To Leave or Take Them?

[David_Nixon1956]

Moonlightsailing dock lines

I leave my bow dock lines cleated to the dock. The slip is starboard so with fenders down we enter dock use on board dock lines as we enter then move bow up with on board lines and attach to the dock lines left at the dock, this positions the bow at proper distance. Then we use onboard lines for stern then string lines to secure the boat. Catalina 38.

 

[kloudie1]

We leave ours on the dock.. carry a complete spare set that is much longer, just in case.

 

[Darwin19229]

I am in the 'leave them on the dock' camp. All the dock lines in the slip are already adjusted to the proper length and it makes it much faster to moor the boat in the correct position when returning to the slip. However, I also rig spare dock lines on the boat before coming into the slip as it makes it easier to hold the boat in place while reconnecting the lines that are already on the dock.

Nothing amazes me more than to watch a boat coming into a dock without any lines rigged on the boat and watching the crew try to hook the lines on the dock before drifting into other boats, docks, etc.

 

[Benny17441]

We always leave them, they are preset at the desired lengths and can easily be picked up with a boat hook. We also leave the power cord (turned off) so that we may easily reconnect when docking. We also pack away lines and assorted extra lines for emergencies. Leaving the lines at a marina dock also signal others that the slip is occupied. We tie the bitter ends around the dock pilings and just have to slip the eyes under and over the boat cleats.

 

[cygnussailor]

When daysailing I leave them, when cruising I take them. To solve the problem of coming into the slip, windy or not, I have a bow catcher. I can sit in the slip for as long as I like without tying up. Just motor gently against the bow catcher and all is well. I have the advantage of owning my slip so I know where I'll be every season. I often will come in, pick up guests and all the items they brought, and then leave again without ever tying up.

 

[Grouperhound]

I leave everything, but I am new to this and am now considering taking my stern lines. They are the only ones cleated. I back in and everything forward is tied around wood pylings.

 

[dbecker68]

We leave ours on the dock / pilings, since we dock in front of our house. We have "hangers" on the pilings (port side) and the dock on the starboard side. This makes it easier coming in, just pick up the windward lines with a boat hook, and drop them over the cleats. This practice works well for us, as the admiral is in charge of picking up the lines, while I hold the boat in position (more or less, depending on the cross winds).
We have several spare lines on board for when we dock away from home, several of them with bowline loops tied in them.

 

[sailndays]

I suppose it depends whether you keep all the lines on your Yacht in Bristol fashion, or not. Also, the size of your Yacht may not permit lines lying about creating trip hazards. I prefer keeping them aboard, except when using a Sky hook.....

 

[John Binns]

Ours say at the slip as they are all a very specific length and it's a fixed dock. Including the spring lines. And here's a pic from a few slips over that illustrates why I have so carefully set the line lengths. We have another set on board.

 

[mauruuru]

My lines are all set for the dock and tidal range including springs core and aft. It makes no sense to redo them every time I leave my slip. I leave them neatly on dock after rigging temporary lines for embarking and return one fore one aft. When returning I use the temporary lines to secure her then tie her up with permanent lines at my leisure. Obviously one needs to carry extra lines aboard for other docking of rafting eventualities. I replace the lines each year and keep the old ones for that purpose stowed aboard.

 

[Morgan donor]

When you get beyond a certain boat size its a pain to re-set all your line lengths. Easier to leave them on the dock. Additionally its prudent to have at LEAST one complete set of spare dock lines on board.

I laughed when I read this because the only reason I'd take my dock lines is because I'm too cheap to have another set! The power boaters laugh at sailors: "sailors think because the wind is free, everything else should be too". Just sayin...

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

Leave them tued at the dock

I leave mine. I do not use fenders on the boat as my lines are adjusted so my boat never touches any part of the dock or the posts. I also back into my dock so it is nice to have everything exactly as I need it.

 

[Jentine]

Anchors and moorings are much easier to deal with. I stay away from docks as much as possible.

 

[Good Will Hunter]

I leave my lines at the dock. I have 3. One at the bow. One at the port stern and the other at the starboard stern. They are all pre adjusted in length. ( there is no tide). Each line is then quickly attached to the boat with a carabiner that is already on the distal end of the rope.
I also, made a bridal that guides me right into position between to finger piers.

 

[nola2172]

We leave our lines at the dock - two on the bow, two on the stern, and one spring line that keeps us from going forward too far (handy when coming in). Our dock has large steel pilings that have a fairly "rough" paint on them, so it would be very difficult to try to hook up to them on the way in from the boat. Also, this way I can tie the bitter end around the pilings and just hook the loop end up to my cleat with a minimum of fuss because everything has been carefully measured to be the right length.

 

[lrschultz]

Since I sometimes sail by myself the answer can only be to take them with you. Getting off the boat and leaving it uncontrolled for even a few seconds is not a good idea.

 

[Tricia]

I leave mine on the dock and...

... have a midship line rigged on the boat so I can step off with it if necessary. Also have a full set that stays on the boat.

 

[bffatcat]

leave or take lines ?

This is a moot point for me. I have no slip There are none in my harbor Its all moorings
when I do come into a dock my lines are ready. I have 3 strand nylon with eye splices.
I made them long enough to spring off when I occasionally tie up. If I did have a slip and given the choice I would opt for lines carried aboard. Its all about what you get used too because I never had a slip. I guess you cant teach an old dog new tricks. There must be something to moorings though! because there is a 20 year wait to get one in Marblehead Harbor

 

[Gunni]

Once you have figured out how to tie up your boat in your slip, it makes absolutely no sense undoing them and trying to find the right length when you return each time. Have a permanent set of lines that will correctly secure your boat in the slip and another set should you need them at another dock (fuel dock or restaurant, etc.) or to temporarily secure you in your slip, until you can get your permanent lines on.

+1. Leave 'em. Wrap a piece of colored electrical tape on your lines where they meet your ship's cleats, that way any fool crew member can get it right. Never leave your slip without a full range of dock lines, springs, and a line suitable for tow.

 

[PilotMelch]

Take your lines with you, lest yaw need 'em

Perhaps you can get away with leaving them on the dock if you have a smaller boat, but the more proper way to dock a boat, especially if the winds kicked up blowing into the slip while you're away, is to use one of the lines (spring line, or stern line) to stop and control the boat as it enters the slip (around the back horn, then around the other horn and straight up, let it out, let it out - STOP). You can't do that unless you take them with you and have them attached when returning. And, perhaps you'll need them to get yourself into that transient slip when someone steels your berth while you're away; or into that neighboring harbor when the weather picks up unexpectedly.