does anyone make thier own dock lines still?

[Scott Mather]

I purchased some new line to make up new dock lines, and have a little left over!

I have 15' to 50' lengths in 1/2", 5/8", 3/4" and 1 1/4"
You have to make your own end loops.
Not sure of the brand, they look like "new england"?

scott,

 

[rsmith]

That line is poly Dacron the colored thread is a overload indicator. It is typical used for lifting and climbing ropes because of the low stretch. Not an ideal line for dock or anchor because of the lack of stretch to eliminate shock. On the plus side it does have good wear resistance and nearly as strong as nylon.

 

[Scott Mather]

I will have to look into this, my nylon dock lines have always had the red threads.

 

[rsmith]

I’ve never seen a tracer thread in nylon rope. I would guess because of the stretch it would break. I’ve been splicing lines since I was a kid. My dad had a friend that was a retired Swedish commercial fisherman he taught me what they used to call marlinspike seamanship.

https://www.rope.com/products/3-strand-twisted-poly-dacron-combination-rope

 

[Scott Mather]

Thanks, but did not ask for a lesson or about anyones expertise.

I simply listed an item in case someone wants some.

 

[cww]

Thanks, but did not ask for a lesson or about anyones expertise.

I simply listed an item in case someone wants some.

I'm scratching my head a little over this one. It seems like he knows what he's talking about. Where else is he supposed to mention that this isn't the best material to use other than in the thread about using the wrong material? As a side note it's super cool that you make your own lines, I always respect people who have a craftmanship streak like that. I suck at just about everything that requires any skill, so my hat's off to you.

 

[rsmith]

Thanks, but did not ask for a lesson or about anyones expertise.

I simply listed an item in case someone wants some.

Lol did I hurt you feelings? Boo hoo maybe you could use some lessons before using the wrong material for the wrong application

 

[Scott Mather]

This is the exact reason why people that really need help go other places because of misinformed unsolicited advice given by “experts” like the master line splicer here.

I have been purchasing nylon lines with tracers for years, if you were better informed you would know this.
Tracers are used to show wear on many many different lines/ropes/ industries/ materials, they are not exclusive to poly climbing ropes.

I did not specify nylon or not because I am not sure what they actually are made from.
Is is possible they are poly, absolutely.
Is it possible they are nylon, absolutely.
Can you tell from a photo no!!!!

Also this is a thread for an item for sale. Not a thread about using the right or wrong material.
This material has performed to a very high acceptable level for me when used to secure a 60,000 lbs hatteras to the dock.

Did you hurt my feelings, hell no.

 

[52CMY]

This is the exact reason why people that really need help go other places because of misinformed unsolicited advice given by “experts” like the master line splicer here.

I have been purchasing nylon lines with tracers for years, if you were better informed you would know this.
Tracers are used to show wear on many many different lines/ropes/ industries/ materials, they are not exclusive to poly climbing ropes.

I did not specify nylon or not because I am not sure what they actually are made from.
Is is possible they are poly, absolutely.
Is it possible they are nylon, absolutely.
Can you tell from a photo no!!!!

Also this is a thread for an item for sale. Not a thread about using the right or wrong material.
This material has performed to a very high acceptable level for me when used to secure a 60,000 lbs hatteras to the dock.

Did you hurt my feelings, hell no.

This thread is indeed about using the right or wrong material. It's posted on a forum --not on Ebay.
I for one am glad this info is here as I've confirmed and relearned info regarding how to recognize less-expensive Poly Dacron New England rope that one should never want to use as a dockline or waste one's time splicing. Good luck selling all that rope on this site. But I'll pass, thanks.

(p.s. people whose feelings aren't hurt rarely use four exclamation points to get their points across)

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Thank you, RSmith. I was unaware of the difference. But it makes sense. Different rope for different applications.

 

[SeaEric]

I learned how to splice line when I was about 13 years old. A lady at the marina named Marge Deery taught me. She's long gone now but the knowledge she imparted lives on. That said: on my own boat I use pre-made braided dock lines.

 

[whoover]

Years ago I bought a spool of dock line, double braid. Spent an afternoon and got many blisters for my efforts, I think I saved about 2 dollars per line! Now I buy them. Three strand braid is much easier if you like using that.

Walt Hoover

 

[cww]

Thank you, RSmith. I was unaware of the difference. But it makes sense. Different rope for different applications.

+1

Until this thread, I didn't know there was a difference. I've never paid any attention to it before, but I will now.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I have not found any better of a deal on docklines than the Online Rope Store in Canada. That said, I did learn to splice three-strand nylon. Splicing double-braid or eight-plait is several orders of magnitude more difficult, and I think requires different fids as well.

 

[Scott Mather]

If anyone is interested in the real answer I have it:

We have a climb shop in town so I asked them about different ropes.
To them, the wrong rope can be deadly so being able to identify rope once it is out of the original packaging is a must.
1) even experts can not tell the difference in most ropes by sight or touch or a photo.
2) tracers are used for many different ropes and materials for different applications, unless you are making military grade rope the tracers and colors do not devulge the rope material.
3) there were (3) simple tests they used to identify rope.
A). Water test if it floats its not nylon or polyester, if it floats it is one of the other poly ropes.
B). Burn test, light the end of the rope and the color of smoke, how it melts/ smells and if it keeps burning after flame is removed suggests what the material is.
C). Soak a sample in acid, nylon will degrade after a few min. All of the poly ropes will remain intact.


What did I have , both polyester and nylon ropes and a some ropes had both polyester and nylon.
All of the larger ropes were nylon, which are now spoken for.
The 1/2” rope was polyester., which I have some left, will make great fender lines, tender lines etc.
There were 1/2” and 3/8” double braid That were polyester on the exterior surface and nylon core. These are also gone,

I was giving the lines away to people I know before this thread happened, because I had so much and already had taken what I need. I was not really trying to sell them as much as get them out of my basement. Thanks to this thread someone that uses a lot of rope purchased all of the larger sizes, let’s just say the first tank of diesel next spring is covered.

Thank you very much to rsmith, I would have given them all away because I really did not know the material they were made from, You made me do some fact checking and realized I had the real stuff.