Dock Lines

[mjk1040]

Looking to replace my 3 year old dock lines. Googling the question, "Best Dock Lines" I got some direction. First nylon is the best line type of choice. Second twisted 3 strand then braided nylon. Well 3 strand twisted style lines are quite course in my book, where braided nylon it a lot smoother and softer. Next what is the optimum diameter and length to carry? The boat is 41' overall, and I have been running 25'-5/8" lines. The lines I presently have are braided ? (not nylon I'm thinking) and tan color and after a season or so they have gotten to leave your hands to feeling waxy after you touch them. Brought them home and thru them in the washer with mild soap and softener and thought that would help, but no same feeling. They are not hard or stiff, just leave this waxy dirty feeling on your hands. Now I question what diameter to get because the price per line from 1/2" to 5/8" jumps like $ 10.00 a line for the same length. Color, I'm thinking of going back to plain black so the UV rays don't seem to effect the lines as much as white and colored lines. Just throwing this out here for seasoned opinions and as always thanks!

[waybomb]

I use 5/8 double braid on my 36 which is over 40 feet long.
We wash them all in Woolite, no softener.
Hang them up on the porch railing to dry, and then store in our home until the season begins.

We had our 2807 for almost 10 years on the original double braid, doing the same thing every year for washing. I used 5/8.
We had our 4207 for almost 10 on the lines when we bought when we bought the boat. Same treatment. I used 3/4.
When we bought our 2807 in 1988, we also bought 4 50 foot double braid 5/8, we still have those, rarely use. Still as soft as new.

I would not use softener. It sticks to everything. It may be what you are getting on your hands.

I'd do a couple of Woolite cold water washes and see if you can save them. I'd also soak them in a large bucket for a day too.

Or send them to me when you buy new ones! It's good to have spares!

[tomschauer]

I use four 5/8 double braid main lines and one 1/2" double braid for my spring line on my 355.

[Viper]

5/8" double braided black nylon for me.

[bud37]

Have 5/8 nylon double braid, black on last two boats....going to change to 5/8 three strand nylon as I have some new already and I like the fact there is stretch.One other benefit to me is I can easily repair three strand ( new eyes etc ) .It seems that as the double braid I have had ages and gets stretched after rain etc they get rather stiff, also picks up dock slivers ( ever get one of those while winding lines....ouch!!).Have tried the soaking thing and they come out nice then return to the same after a couple weeks.
I also think there may be some better quality double braid that may have avoided me over the years, the black looks good though.

Mike I think you might consider longer lines for your ship ...........

[mjk1040]

Great discussion as always guys. Curious Bud, How long of lines do you feel I should have. I was thinking as long as they are slightly longer than half the over all length of the boat I was good? Waybomb, these lines started feeling waxy prior to using the softener. I'm thinking they were made from that poly something and not nylon. And they never got stiff, just this waxy feeling left on ur hands after handling them. And they have faded quite a bit. Going to go back thru my emails and see what I bought. I'm thinking they may not even be available anymore. Again thanks for the discussion!

[Midnightsun]

5/8" for me also. Double braided, black in 35 and 30' lengths. Keep 8 on board attached to the forward, mid and aft cleats on both sides and 2 spares.

In the washer with detergent and liquid fabric softener every end of season, never an issue.

[MakinTime]

5/8 x 20’ double braid for our 36.

[bud37]

Source of the post Curious Bud, How long of lines do you feel I should have.

I guess if you have many dock cleats around your slip, you could have much shorter lines. When you travel somewhere else you may be confronted with a different situation requiring longer lines closer to the rule of thumb.....fore and aft lines 2/3 of the boat length and the springs closer to the full length.That formula has worked fine for me over the years and seems to cover all the bases.I guess it really depends on your personal situation......my idea was if you are going new why not??.........

[bud37]

From an old C & W song.....remember longer can get shorter but shorter can't get longer....