Jeff wrote:
4.5 inch line? Is that circumference? Even so, that would be 1.5 inch
diameter, still very heavy for a 28 foot boat at the dock. (Or am I
missing something here?)

Circumference

My primary dock lines are 9/16 inch diameter nylon, and I normally use 4
- two springs, and a bow and stern. (I'm on a face, not in a slip.)
Usually, though, if left for any time, there are 2 additional short
springs that are half inch line. I have a few heavier lines, 5/8 inch,
that have been used in a blow, but my home dock is a "hurricane hole,"
so I've never used them there.

In general, I prefer thinner line rather than thicker for docklines,
since the stretch reduces strain on fittings. When needed, I double up,
and, of course, proper chafing gear and frequent inspection is needed.
Heavy boats and rough locations need special attention, but I don't
think I've ever seen docklines over 1 inch diameter for a recreational
boat.

I still maintain the big line doesn't look any too heavy when you're
staring down the barrel of a 50 knot blow with the windage of a ketch,
although I take your point about the stretch...

By H28 I assume you mean the L. Francis Herreshoff 28 footer. Which
version is yours?


Yep the self same, she's a bit modified around the topsides with a
raised sheerline and doghouse- gives us full to nearly full headroom
most of the way through. She was home built, launched in 1969, of 1-1/4
strip plank- in spite of advice contained in this :

http://tinyurl.com/7bwoa

as a result of this:

http://tinyurl.com/bm7pj

I know all this because my late father built her, with me as the
apprentice. I've just found her again after nearly 30 years (we sold
her in about 1976) and I'm a happy chappy...

JM