On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 19:25:56 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

Wayne B wrote:
I once had a dock line break on a 34 ft sailboat in calm wind
conditions. It was 1/2 inch dacron braid (low stretch compared to
nylon). The breakage was caused by interaction of the boat with a
floating dock in response to a wake. The boat and dock were moving in
different directions and at different rates, causing the dock line to
snap like a rubberband with no warning. Fortunately I was next to the
boat when it happened and was able to quickly re-tie. All that is
offered by way of explanation for my conservative approach and use of
nylon line.


For temporary tieups I would use 1/2" at most. Easier to handle.

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Maybe for a gas dock tie up where you're standing next to the boat.
Most gas docks have their own lines however. My sailboat that broke
the 1/2 inch line was only 10,000 #s. The wake wasn't supposed to be
there but it happened. Assuming you don't want to carry two sets of
lines, and would ocassionally like to duck into a restaurant, etc.,
I'll stick with my 5/8 recommendation.