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wrote:
I don't know if this topic has been done to death, but I am interested
in finding out what various boaters use for dock lines.

No, the subject is rarely brought up, but is wrrthy of discussion.

... The
information on the internet can be very confusing, and I have seen web
sites that recommend completely different rope sizes for the same size
boats. The rule of thumb is 1/8 inch diameter for every 9 feet of
boat. This is also what West Marine says in their literature.

Well, it's a decent rule of thumb but can get misleading. The strain a
boat puts on her mooring lines is more a function of here displacement
and/or windage that her length. Another consideration is the boat's
normal mooring environment. If a fixed dock with tide, then that has to
be allowed for. Exposure to wind & current means upsizing lines a bit.
What about chafe gear?

Chuck's suggestion about using the largest line practical with the
boat's cleats is a good one IMHO.

... Other
sites say that boats over 25 feet, for instance, should use 1/2 rope.
I have moored my Bayliner 2859 all winter with just 3/8 inch lines, but
it has been in a protected slip.

We use a mix of 1/2" and 5/8" for our 36' boat tied in a sheltered slip
with some tide range. I carefully arrange all the lines so as to
minimize possible chafe, and we've replaced at least 3 lines in 3 years.
Most people wait too long, UV degrades lines more than you think.

Another issue what type of line. Nylon? Polypro? 3-strand? Braided?

Anybody here splice their own loops?

Fair Skies
Doug King