Dock Lines

[Capt K]

OK. Every two to three years, I replace my dock lines. I usually use 5/8" X 35' or 40' for my 50' motoryacht. I know it calls for 3/4" but for my usual slip and general use, they work fine and handle well.

Now the problem is that all the local stores sell what appears to be the same docklines, but the eye is only 11"-12". The old ones were 15". My bow cleats are 15" and the midship cleats are all 12".

Any suggestions on where to look? I'm in Ct.

Thanks!

Capt K

 

[Genesis]

Make your own - eye splices are easy....

 

[Pascal]

eye splices are easy indeed, maybe the eye is larger on 3/4" lines?

fwiw i always use the bitter end on the boat side, i find it much easier to tie up since it lets me work the line on the cleat. When the wind kicks up, it's much easier to work the line on the cleat instead of strugling to pull the eye thru and possible get a finger caught bet the line and the cleat. I use nylon ties to mark the line.

 

[Capt K]

Sorry, forget to mention that I use double braided lines. The 3-strand would be easy, it I have to go back to them. Up here, the braided seems to stay flexible longer before needing soaking or replacement.

Thanks, guys!

K

 

[jim rosenthal]

I also put the eye end around the piling and use the bitter end on deck, for all the same reasons. I generally just make my own loop the size I want, with a bowline in the line.
BoatUS and West offer rigging services that will make up lines for you. If you like braided lines, look at New England Ropes' Mega-Braid. It is great stuff; very strong, coils either way without difficulty, and looks good. Smallest is 5/8", I think, and comes white or black. It also wears very well, I have found.

 

[eze2bme]

Making an eye in the end of braided rope isn't all that difficult. I just made four new docklines using 3/4" Samson Yacht braid. I purchased the correct sized fid and rather than use the directions included with the Samson fid kit I used those in Chapman's Seamanship and Boat Handling guide. The first one took a little time but the rest were easy. Made all four in less than 1.5 hours.

 

[Genesis]

Braid is not a good idea if you are ever in an area of high winds or storms.

It doesn't stretch enough to provide a shock absorber effect.

Three-strand is IMHO what you want to use, and GOOD 3-strand, like that from New England Ropes, remains flexible for quite some time. I change my permanent lines more-or-less annually and consider that pretty good service.

 

[Traveler 45C]

FYI- Eye splice instructions:

http://www.fish4fun.com/boat%20rope.htm

http://www.dirauxwest.org/knots/braideye.htm

You can find many more sites by doing a google search. Type in “Eye splice”.

FWIW, I use the 3 strand and make my own splices. It is considerable cheaper than braid.

 

[Capt K]

As usual, thanks for all the advice. The braid looks "pretty" for the general light docking and traveling use. I do use 3-strand for long term and heavy weather. BTW, Hamilton Marine in Maine carries Yale cordage dbl braid with 14" eye in it. I think I'll try some of the splicing on dbl braid to see how it goes.

Thanks, again.

K