New Dock Lines, Undersized Eye Splice

[spartonboat1]

I bought some dock lines (5/8") from WM last summer, to replace some that were getting ratty. Well, this Fall when I was ready to stow the bow lines, I could barely get them over/off the cleats. When I go on line they are listed as 12" eye splices, but they sure did not seem to be that size. Also, all my earlier lines, still on board, go on/off the cleats with no issue.

I cannot imagine they shrunk, but when first installed I did not notice an issue, i.e, they seemed to install without issue. The Admiral works the bow lines, so if there was an issue, seems like she would have reported it.

Since I am a glutton for punishment, as many know here, I probable with contact WM to ask for an adjustment; good luck on that. Maybe I bought 10" eye splices by mistake- can't say. At any rate, it could be a safety issue, if they are not replaced with a proper sized eye splice.

Anyone else run into this issue?

 

[tonytrakovich]

Double braid will shrink. Happened to me before. I have been splicing my own and make a min of 18” eyes. You can still use the shrunk ones by going through the bottom of cleat and only wrapping one horn.

 

[Avenger]

Ditto that. You didn't say if it's braid or woven, but all these plastics shrink.

Per sgharford's experience, I use black New England three-strand braid for dock line. It is much more UV resistant and stays pliable much longer. I buy bulk lengths then splice and size all the eyes for their application.

 

[SEVEN]

They do shrink when exposed to weather for a year or so. What I do is take them off and wash them in a pillowcase and load it up with downy fabric softener, it turns them into brand new pliable lines. Hope this helps.

 

[jim rosenthal]

The other advantage with three-strand is that it stretches better, so it has more give in it. And NER is about the best you can get.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I can never find off the shelf lines with big enough eyes. I custom order them online. That way you can get the length you want and the eye size you need.

I also have the whipping done in different colors so I know the length just by looking at the whipping.

 

[oscarvan]

I also have the whipping done in different colors so I know the length just by looking at the whipping.

I like that.

 

[Pascal]

I ve had issues with small eyes as well. When using three strand i usually splice a large eye at the other end or with double braid i just do a bowline. Either way gives me more flexibility

 

[spartonboat1]

They do shrink when exposed to weather for a year or so. What I do is take them off and wash them in a pillowcase and load it up with downy fabric softener, it turns them into brand new pliable lines. Hope this helps.

Def will try that!

 

[spartonboat1]

Ditto that. You didn't say if it's braid or woven, but all these plastics shrink.

Per sgharford's experience, I use black New England three-strand braid for dock line. It is much more UV resistant and stays pliable much longer. I buy bulk lengths then splice and size all the eyes for their application.

These were braid, for flexibility. Seem to get quite a bit of variability with WM products. Sometimes good, sometimes- not so much. But its all offshore mfg'g, but I am at the age where I will pay more to get some "right" the first time!

 

[spartonboat1]

I can never find off the shelf lines with big enough eyes. I custom order them online. That way you can get the length you want and the eye size you need.

I also have the whipping done in different colors so I know the length just by looking at the whipping.

Good idea Sky. Will use my good lines for a gauge.

I used to used colors at the whipping, but they would lost in the deck box. Now I buy red for spring lines and blue for bow/stern. Used to buy black, but a little too severe.

 

[SEVEN]

I can never find off the shelf lines with big enough eyes. I custom order them online. That way you can get the length you want and the eye size you need.

I also have the whipping done in different colors so I know the length just by looking at the whipping.

Love the colored whip idea. I’ll mark the inside storage box with the colors so the admiral gets the right line length every time. Thanks Sky.

 

[spartonboat1]

Love the colored whip idea. I’ll mark the inside storage box with the colors so the admiral gets the right line length every time. Thanks Sky.

True. I get complaints from time to time- "So just what do the colors mean"? A legend in the box would help.

 

[SEVEN]

True. I get complaints from time to time- "So just what do the colors mean"? A legend in the box would help.

I would use the colors for length. White 15’, blue 25’ etc.

 

[jrbrein]

I am on a floating dock so I whipped each line where it attaches on the cleat in case I take my lines with me. When I return to the slip, I just throw them on at each mark.

This always worked well for my on my halyard lines where each mark was for a different reefing point on the sails.

Jon