What size docking lines?

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PGIJon

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Mar 3, 2012
856
Hunter 34 Punta Gorda
West marine is having a 40% off sale of bulk rope and dock lines. I'd like to take this opportunity to get new ones to cruise with and would like some opinions of the number of, the length and diameter of dock lines you would suggest one should carry on board.

Thanks Jon
 
Mulf

Mulf

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Dec 2, 2003
400
Hunter 410 Chester, MD (Kent Island)
This is what I had do do a 2700 mile ICW trip.

Boat is 41 feet long with bow, stern & mid-ship cleats. For cruising I have 4 15' dock lines generally used on the four corners. I also have 4 25' dock lines that get used as spring lines and as bow lines when they put you in a slip far longer or wider than you are. I followed WM's chart for recommended thickness.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,006
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Don't forget that sometimes you'll want to return the docklines to your boat, so short ones aren't necessarily better.
 
Allan12210

Allan12210

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Jan 22, 2008
1,662
Hunter 34 Alameda CA
Jon,

I have 2 45' long lines (7/16" diameter three strand) with an eye splice that I use on the bow and stern. They are used to initially tie the boat to the dock forward and aft, then I lead them back to a cleat on my genoa track as springs. Depending on where I cruise to, the cleats on a long dock can be far apart, so that length isn't excessive. I also have a 10 footer that I use as a spring on that midship cleat as we are just pulling up to a dock or slip to stop the boat. It also doubles as a breast line to keep us close to the dock. And just for good measure I have an extra 45' and 10' as well.

Allan
 
quadrille38

quadrille38

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Apr 11, 2010
969
Hunter 38 Whitehall MI
I'm always amazed when I walk around marinas and observe people who have spent between thousands to hundreds of thousands on their boat and then tie it up with what is effectively clothesline. So I'm a big believer of when in doubt go slightly larger diameter than what the line manufacturer recommends.
I use 5/8 to 3/4 on my 38
 
FastOlson

FastOlson

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Apr 8, 2010
2,095
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
quadrille38 said:
I'm always amazed when I walk around marinas and observe people who have spent between thousands to hundreds of thousands on their boat and then tie it up with what is effectively clothesline. So I'm a big believer of when in doubt go slightly larger diameter than what the line manufacturer recommends.
I use 5/8 to 3/4 on my 38
Click to expand
Agree totally especially the "clothesline" comment!
For our 34 footer we use half inch three strand for some and nylon braid for some others.
 
betzhunter

betzhunter

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Apr 14, 2010
248
Hunter 34 Slidell, La.
"I lead them back to a cleat on my genoa track as springs."
Allan, you wouldn't have a picture of this set up would you?
Thanks,
Bub
 
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PGIJon

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Mar 3, 2012
856
Hunter 34 Punta Gorda
Thank you all for your input! On the up side I now have all new lines for both boats! On the down side, it all went to WM... But on the up side it was 40% off... but on the downside their mark-up is way too high! But on the up side this Forum has help me tremendously! Thanks All -Jon
 
Jim Seamans

Jim Seamans

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Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Possible thought for you.

I went to Lowes Hardware and purchased 200' of 5/8" braided line - white with blue trace. Seems I paid about $.40/foot. From that I made six lines about 30 ft in length that I use as traveling lines when I'm away from my home. I also have two, three strand nylon lines that is used for mooring balls.

Cheap and works. You won't believe how many other boaters I ran into in the Bahamas with the same lines....
 
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