Docking lines
Submitted by bradz on Wed, 2014-02-12 09:42
Hi guys
Heading over to Rotto soon and need to make up 4 new docking lines for the jetty. I'm getting some 3 strand polyester but just need to ask what size would you use? My boat is a 6m Haines Signature.
10mm rope has 1700kg breaking strain
12mm rope has 2400kg breaking strain
All up the boat weighs about 1600kg (wet) but of course you arent supporting that much weight when docked to a jetty.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. The 10mm would make tying up easier and allow more turns on the cleats but the 12mm would offer greater abrasion resistance.
Cheers
____________________________________________________________________________
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dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Can get docking lines premade
Can get docking lines premade with eye loops at one end and they have a nice soft feel. Much nicer that a 3 strand.
Go the 12mm.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
makai
Posts: 459
Date Joined: 28/10/08
Agree bigger is better
I use 16mm or thicker for docking lines because its easier on the hands. Might not matter most of the time, but it does if you need to lead the boat, or if you are putting someone onto the jetty who then has to pull the boat in and tie it off(often necessary when jetties are crowded), or if you are fighting a strong wind or swell. The difference in price between 10mm and 16mm is not significant when you are only talking a few metres for docking lines. Go bigger.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8672
Date Joined: 24/07/07
12 mm
12 mm is plenty and use a cotton or silver rope that is easy on the hands and good for untying knots.
You are not tying up a 40+ foot crayboat so there is no need to go any heavier on the rope
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Cheers
Thanks for the responses guys.
I use the pre-made braided polypropelene docking lines for launching and general handling. However, I did use them previously for docking at Stark Jetty at Rotto a few years ago, and during a rather windy night one line got severely worn and another of the lines actually wore through and broke. The lines were secured nicely, but the heat generated and the rubbing on the timber just ate through.
Thank god there was not boat in the pen adjacent.
The polyester seems to have a much higher abrasion resistance. So for overnight docking I was leaning to wards that. I will go at least the 12mm I think.
Cheers
Brad
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
Feral
Posts: 1508
Date Joined: 01/11/06
The heavier the better .. I
The heavier the better .. I think mine is 18mm .. why risk it for a few $ ??
If it was purely for docking then 12 .. but your using it as a mooring type line overnight