Dock Lines

[Interlude]

We recently purchased a Cutwater C 302. I want to purchase another set of dock lines and prior to doing so I would like to know the specific specification for dock the lines supplied with the vessel - in term of material, braid type, lengh, and strength spec.

Thanks

--Arthur

 

[Bruce Moore]

Bumping post delayed in moderation queue.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Arthur, I’d suggest calling the parts department of Fluid Motion. In the past they have had lines and of various lengths n sizes in inventory. If not at least they can get you the proper specs.

Jim

 

[cmwahl]

Top Knots in Oregon makes the Ranger/Cutwater lines. We purchased another longer line from them at the Seattle boat show a couple of years ago. Mooringlines.com same exact lines it without the Ranger logo

Cindy

 

[BB marine]

You can't go wrong with a double braided nylon line. I would go with 5/8" 25' with a 12" eye splice. This type and size line would be more than enough for a 30' boat. Purchase a high quality line from West Marine or Fisheries supply. A 5/8" double braided has a breaking strength of just over 13000 lbs. Pick your color !! I have 15' and 25,' when I replace my lines I will go with all 25'.

 

[2savage]

25' may be too short. Standard thinking is that a dock line should be as long as the boat.

 

[SJI Sailor]

Our C30 came with dealer supplied lines, and were not the Top Knots lines (which IIRC are poly and stitched, not braided nylon).

So it may be a dealer choice and I'd ask them if you want an exact match (personally I don't mind a mixture!)

I added 5/8" double braided nylon lines exactly as Bryan noted. My favorites so far are Samson brand. As 2savage noted, we have longer lines on the bow so they can come all the way back to the cockpit for mooring buoys, longer slips, etc. (I should probably recheck all the distances to the prop ...)

For side cleat spring lines, I use slightly smaller 1/2" lines because they fit better.

 

[SPTug]

We just ordered some new lines from TopKnot (mooringlines.com) in Oregon. They were very helpful on the phone and the order came quickly in the mail.

 

[Rocky]

An old salt mentor told me once, "You never want a bow line that can reach your prop."
Seems like a good rule of thumb to me.... 😀

Rocky

 

[Boont Boater]

West Marine catalog has an informative page on dock line selection.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

To properly size the thickness of your dock lines you also need to factor in the size of the cleats you will use (assuming that is how you tie up and have a permanent berth). To exaggerate for effect: if you have a 4 inch cleat (measured from one horn end to the other) and 5/8" line you are not going to have a very secure tie up assuming you can even get the line under the horns. At the other end of the example if you have a 12" cleat and are using spaghetti 1/8" lines you will also have an insecure tie up that may slip right around the cleat. The happy medium is somewhere in the middle so that you can get enough turns around the cleat to make enough surface contact and bends that secure the line from coming loose. One rule of thumb I've seen is "1/16" of line thickness for every inch of the cleat's length. I prefer a cleat / line combination minimum that allows me to get a full 360 turn around the base of the horn and a properly tucked figure 8 on top and maybe enough horn left to tie a second line. Of course, you can't always choose your cleats, so having an extra line or two of different thickness can be very handy. GF

 

[ALICE J]

I prefer half inch double braided line nylon because of the stretch factor. If the boat is surging in the slip I want some elasticity to absorb the shock I don’t want to put the entire shock on the cleat because of the inability of a heavier line will not stretch. Over the seven years I’ve used my boat I am now noticing my half inch lines are showing wear and will surely replace them. I have a 1 foot eye place on my for dock lines that are about 15 feet long and then I have 2 30 foot 3/8 inch nylon double braided spring lines with no splices

 

[Interlude]

Thanks for all the feedback. We ended up getting 5/8” nylon lines - with different colors to indicate length. This makes it easy to grab either a 15 or 25ft line when you need it. It also allows us to make up a line set on both the port and starboard sides. Enjoy!

 

[2savage]

West Marine catalog has an informative page on dock line selection.

And once you've figured out what to buy, buy from www.defender.com and save some money.