Well, we've used the term when towing another boat of about the same size...
don't know if that's what it's supposed to be called, however.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"DSK" wrote in message
...
... I don't think a line to the front of a bigger sailboat is called a
painter.


How big a boat? How is it fastened?


Jeff wrote:
As I was taught, if its permanently attached (more or less) to the bow,
its a painter. If not, its a dock line...

Agreed, a "painter" (as I've always heard the term used) is a dedicated
line to the bow of a boat small enough to be towed as a dinghy/tender.
Doesn't matter if it's currently in use as a tow rope, bow line to the
pier, or coiled under the bow thwart.

The ways I've seen painters "permanently attached" include a spliced loop
to a bow eye, a spliced loop w/ a lark's head knot to bow eye, reeved thru
a hole in the stem with a stopper knot, and spliced into the rope rubrail
around the gunwhale (only seen this once, wouldn't really recommend it
although it looks salty).

Fresh Breezes- Doug King