what length dock lines?

[av8erdunn]

What length dock lines should I buy for my boat? I am new to this tying up in a slip thing and quit frankly I am pretty dang nervous about the whole thing. Mainly backing the boat into the slip since the winds affect the boat so much not to mention the fact I have several hundred thousand dollar boats on each side of me. The last thing I want to do is bang into someone else's boat. I've been on the water my whole life but never had a 27' boat that gets backed into a slip with a 10hp tiller motor. Anyway that's a long way to ask what length lines for permanent dock lines. Also what's the best place to buy pre spliced lines?

Thanks in advance,
Jeremy

 

[Steve Dion]

Personally I have 2 sets of dock lines. One set stays on the dock. This makes docking much easier. We also have a "long" set that we take with us. These are used when rafting up or going to a foreign port where we have no idea what to expect.

I would suggest that you consider purchasing lines from this site. Our patronage is what keeps this site alive.

 

[Bill1565]

Personally I have 2 sets of dock lines. One set stays on the dock. This makes docking much easier. We also have a "long" set that we take with us. These are used when rafting up or going to a foreign port where we have no idea what to expect. I would suggest that you consider purchasing lines from this site. Our patronage is what keeps this site alive.

Second purchase lines here. For your travel set suggest 4 at boat length, 2 at 1 1/2 to 2 x boat length for spring lines. Permanent set that stays at you slip s/ b largest diameter your cleats can stand. That way when a storm blows thru while you are away, you can sleep.

 

[av8erdunn]

I will check into buying them here but what lengths do I need to get for bow, stern and spring lines? Anyone with a 270 know the max diameter my cleats will take? My boats about 2.5 hours away and I will not see her again until Friday night. I am bringing the boat home on Saturday so whatever I get I have to have on Friday.

 

[kloudie1]

Tough to say without some more info.. for the four main lines, I have always been able to get along with 25 foot lines in the slips I've had over the years.. If you have a smallish slip, shorter lines will do.. If you have to tie to a pile, longer lines.. if you have secure cleats at slip, shorter.. You'll need one or two longer lines for spring lines, depending again on your slip configuration. Diameter; 3/8" probably marginal, 7/16 probably sufficient, but again if the slip is exposed to constant wind, slightly larger. I find it better to buy a 110 foot piece of three strand nylon and cut it into quarters and splice it myself.. gives four lines close to 25 feet long. Have a safe trip. looks like there could be some interesting weather this weekend ..

 

[av8erdunn]

I ordered six pre-spliced dock lines at 20 foot long. Guess I should have gotten longer ones?

Edit: Alright I cancelled the order and and will be placing a new order. The docks were just built a few years ago and have floating finger docks on one side and piling's on the other. Attached is a picture of the slip. I am thinking about 4-20 ft 1/2" for the bow and stern. Then 2- 25ft 1/2" for the spring lines. We get hurricanes down here sometimes so I want to go with the largest possible. Does that sound sufficent enough?

 

[kjretlaw]

The lines you have will work fine for the slip in the picture. But why back in? eaiser to pull in till you're comfortable handleing the boat then back in if you want. Most find it easier to back out of slip then into one.

 

[kloudie1]

Those will be plenty long enough. The floating pier requires fairly short lines, but the ones you have on order will be fine! Are you on Dog River, or across the bay?
For hurricanes, most folks use another set of lines and double them up, and add more spring lines.. The trick is to let it float up without letting it get away..

 

[av8erdunn]

We are keeping it at the wharf in orange beach. Since the floating pier requires short lines, what do I do with the excess? Cut it off? I want to use the spliced end on the boat so it will be easy upon returning to the slip.

 

[BrianW]

For hurricane force winds, you are probably in super trouble if tied to a dock. Many marinas require you to move your boat out when any named storm approaches. BrianW

 

[av8erdunn]

For hurricane force winds, you are probably in super trouble if tied to a dock. Many marinas require you to move your boat out when any named storm approaches. BrianW

The marina is a what they called a hurricane harbor on the intercoastal waterway. They have boats come in from all over to ride the storm out at their marina. They come around and help you secure your boat prior to landfall.

 

[Stu Jackson]

http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Dock-Lines

You should get familiar with the West Advisor articles, lots of free great information.

 

[kloudie1]

Too much line is knot (?) a problem.. not enough is!
You can do a Flemish flake to make it tidy looking. http://www.animatedknots.com/flemish/
I do that with the bow lines .. on the anchor locker cover.. the stern ones can just be coiled and set so that they don't come loose in wind and rain and plug a cockpit drain.

 

[Rick Webb]

I Used to be in a Slip Just Like That

I attached a block to the piling on the far corner away from the finger pier. Then attached a long line to a 10# river anchor through the block and back to the dock. When I tied the boat up I'd put the line around the cleat somewhere in the middle of the line. One end went straight back to the dock the other to the block with the weight suspended. What this did was to pull the boat away from the dock and the finger pier in the just perfect spot.

 

[Ward H]

BoatUS had a good article on dock lines also.
I asked the same question earlier in the season. Got some of the same answers and did go with buying a length of line and made my own cut to the length I needed. I did the eye splices smaller so they fit tighter over my boat cleats. This was another Stu idea.
The two sites mentioned and most sites that sell dock lines have recommendations for rope size. Figure 2 1/2' to 3' per wrap around a piling vs what is needed for a dock cleat.