on my 22 I have the whole Gamut of lines

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 566 Photos: Thistle

It would seem that I have numerous sizes of dock line aboard this 22. We're leaving for the Chesapeake on Friday Morn. If we like the place we're going it is likely we will leave the boat in a slip for a month while we come and go. I would feel better, having been an arborist/logger/sailor, if the dock lines were in ship shape. No wear, no UV damaged frizzle/frazzle and all the same make color and thickness.
As discussed in a previous post I'd like to be able to get a hold of it. It should be thick enough to grab but not so thick that it looks ridiculous. I'll put an eye on one end of each line. Is 15' about right? or should I go 18' or20'? For the DIA I'm thinking 7/16 (11mm) but may end up with 3/8 (9mm). It seems like only 3/8 or 1/2 are my choices. I'll buy the rope whole and cut and braid it myself.

Can a good argument be made for 3-strand?

What are your thoughts?

Tom Hruby · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 4:52 pm Post subject:

Here are my thoughts, though this is a topic where everyone has their strong opinion:
1) I prefer my dock lines to be about 35 ft for my 22ft cruiser since some marinas have longer finger piers and cleats are further apart.
2) Also the longer length means the extra can be used as a spring line (so I don't have to carry extra spring lines).
3) Half inch line is much easier to handle than 3/8 line;
4) I recommend braided line since it does not kink as much as 3-ply when coiling by hand.
5) I recommend using nylon rope for dock and mooring lines; the stretch characteristics of nylon absorb shock and will resist damaging cleats on your boat and on your dock.
6) I have found that I need 4 bumpers per side when docking, if the wind is making it difficult to land on a dock. A fluky side wind will cause my bow to crash into the dock no matter how hard I try to avoid that. I attach 1/4" lines to the bottom of the two bumpers closest to the bow so I can lift them onto the deck from the cockpit when cruising.

C-Wolfe · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 4:58 pm Post subject:

They are good arguments for either way but I like my line to look different, my bow line being longer then the stern line. Since I normally store all of them in the same place, I can more easily tell them apart and grab the one I need. As for length, it’s nice if they can’t get tangled in the prop when they slide overboard, in my experience, the further forward the more likely it is to happen.

Tom Hruby · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 5:20 pm Post subject:

I have two bow lines permanently attached to the forward cleat, one for each side, so I don't have to go forward every time I want to dock. I bring the lines back and hold them tight with a cam cleat just before the cockpit. The extra line is coiled and hung on a hook that hangs from the handle. The stern lines are also permanently attached and hung on a hook on the inside of the cockpit. That way we can grab both lines as we jump onto the dock.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 566 Photos: Thistle

I love all the free advice but I am no longer sure what a spring line is. Are one of you willing to give it a shot, how you attach a spring line and when to do it. Thanks.

DayBreak · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 5:58 pm Post subject:

Hi Don. Like Tom, we like to have two bow lines that are permanently attached to the forward cleat, one port and one starboard. We tie the bitter end off at the rear cabin hand holds. Remember, when conditions are bad and you are being blown away from the dock, you don't want your mate in the stern throwing a 15 ft. line to someone waiting to assist you. We like using 25 ft. Double Braided Nylon Dock Lines which we have found adequate for also doing a spring line in our C-Dory boat.

DayBreak · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 6:10 pm Post subject:

Just saw your post Don. If your bow and stern lines are long enough, you can continue with their length to a midship cleat on the dock for a final tie. This will keep your boat from going forward and backward while attached to the dock and keep your vessel locked in and secure for the night with little or no movement forward or aft.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 566 Photos: Thistle

so you take the forward line to the middle dock cleat and the stern line to the middle dock cleat? then what?

ssobol · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 7:37 pm Post subject:

I mainly use 2 lines when docking. One from the middle cleat (outside the window and one on the stern cleat. I have 3 pairs of lines that are color coded to indicate their length. I also have a few misc lines for use when needed (both shorter than the shortest dock line and longer than the longest). I think I have about 10 lines onboard at any one time.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 566 Photos: Thistle

I see now. you cross your fore and aft lines to opposite side dock cleats. The spring line is from the bow or stern cleats, or both, to the middle of the boat dock cleats. When I get to the slip I'll check the salty looking boats in the marina and will follow suit.
I had always thought that the spring lines were from bow cleats to the stern dock cleats and vs a vs. I thought that spring lines we only for areas where large tides were the norm.
Thanks

thataway · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 9:40 pm Post subject:

Color coded lines. You can tell deck hands, people at dock helping etc--"grab the gold line and take it to xx cleat. I have mid ship and bow lines to cam cleats on the side I am docking on. I have velcro loops to secure the ends of the lines. I used lighter lines when first docking (3/8 work fine), but then go to 1/2 if there is a storm coming, or I am leaving the boat for any peroid.