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.

================================================== =

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.

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
enough line to achieve proper throwing weight, and longer lines than would
appear necessary. At least once a week at the launch, I see some hapless
fool with 5 feet of line at bow & stern, trying to throw it 10 feet to
someone one the dock. I'll bet the money saved really feels good at that
moment.

I remember reading somewhere (Power Squadron course?) that your bow line
shouldn't be longer than your boat length. This way, if the line falls
overboard while the boat is making way, the line can't get caught in the
propeller.

Don White wrote:

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

enough line to achieve proper throwing weight, and longer lines than would
appear necessary. At least once a week at the launch, I see some hapless
fool with 5 feet of line at bow & stern, trying to throw it 10 feet to
someone one the dock. I'll bet the money saved really feels good at that
moment.


I remember reading somewhere (Power Squadron course?) that your bow line
shouldn't be longer than your boat length. This way, if the line falls
overboard while the boat is making way, the line can't get caught in the
propeller.


If the boat is a jet it will need to be shorted yet :-) My little
brother sucked one up on his Sea-Rayder soap-dish jet boat. Had real
good line. Bent the impeller.

Capt Jack R..

Good tip!


"Don White" wrote in message
news

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
enough line to achieve proper throwing weight, and longer lines than
would
appear necessary. At least once a week at the launch, I see some hapless
fool with 5 feet of line at bow & stern, trying to throw it 10 feet to
someone one the dock. I'll bet the money saved really feels good at that
moment.

I remember reading somewhere (Power Squadron course?) that your bow line
shouldn't be longer than your boat length. This way, if the line falls
overboard while the boat is making way, the line can't get caught in the
propeller.

... I really
don't want to have to untie the lines at my slip every time I leave,
since
I'd have to find just the right adjustment again every time I return.

This isn't particularly good reasoning. You should have a good set of
dock lines, you should check them often. Re-tying them is not so much
trouble, think what a PITA it would be if your boat broke free.


Thanks for the advice Doug!

I guess what I was trying to say here and maybe didn't do it as clearly as I
should have is that I know that I need to adjust and inspect my lines often,
but I need additional lines so that I don't have to TAKE the lines from my
slip with me every time I go out. I'd rather leave them in place and adjust
/ inspect them as necessary, but not carry them with me. I'll buy the
necessary lines and carry them onboard, but I was just curious about the
size of line that I should buy. I have 5/8", 3 strand at the dock, but I
didn't buy that line. It came with the boat from the previous owner and
yes...it is in very good shape. I really just wondered what the consensus
was about that size of line...adequate, overkill, too small. It sounds like
it's adequate.

Thanks again for taking the time to write that long reply too Doug, and
thanks to everyone else who took the time to answer this question as well!

Gary

Lots of other Good Advice on size of lines, so I won't add to it. One
thing I learned (from a powerboater!) was the convenience of a "midship
line". If you're coming in to a tricky dock, esp. with minimal crew (like
singlehanded!): You tie off the bow, and stern goes away on you. Tie the
stern, and off goes the bow. Tie a midship line, and you got 'er!

Then, of course, add bow, stern and stringers at your leasure. I usually
leave the midship line on, "just in case".

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36 - off to Desolation Sound next week!

I'm always surprised at how few boats have cleats or chocks on the
"shoulder" (A point @1/3 aft from the stem or where the hull flattens
out), for this purpose.

otn

Lloyd Sumpter wrote:
Lots of other Good Advice on size of lines, so I won't add to it. One
thing I learned (from a powerboater!) was the convenience of a "midship
line". If you're coming in to a tricky dock, esp. with minimal crew (like
singlehanded!): You tie off the bow, and stern goes away on you. Tie the
stern, and off goes the bow. Tie a midship line, and you got 'er!

Then, of course, add bow, stern and stringers at your leasure. I usually
leave the midship line on, "just in case".

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36 - off to Desolation Sound next week!

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 19:55:09 GMT, otnmbrd
wrote:

I'm always surprised at how few boats have cleats or chocks on the
"shoulder" (A point @1/3 aft from the stem or where the hull flattens
out), for this purpose.

Funny you should mention that - I had some installed on my Ranger for
that very reason.

Later,

Tom

Gary wrote:
..... I have 5/8", 3 strand at the dock, but I
didn't buy that line. It came with the boat from the previous owner and
yes...it is in very good shape. I really just wondered what the consensus
was about that size of line...adequate, overkill, too small. It sounds like
it's adequate.

Sure, 5/8" 3-straid nylon (laid or twisted type rope) should have a
working strength of around 7,500#. The actual force needed to break it
will be much more (between 2X and 3X), but when a rope is subjected to
it's working load for a sustained period of time, it stretches
permamently and begins to lose strength. Dacron rope will be a little
weaker but won't stretch as much. Stretch is good in dock lines, and
anchor lines, because it does not put as much impulse load on the cleats
and it will give more warning before breaking.

Differences between braided & laid: braided is stronger, not as
stretchy, and much more resistant to abrasion. Braided lines will keep
their strength better when knotted or slightly chafed. They are more
complicated to splice. Braided lines have less tendency to kink and will
not unravel. I also think braided lines are easier to handle overall. It
may be that coming from a background in sailboats, I am more familiar
with braided lines and more comfortable with them. We have several
3-strand dock lines though.


Thanks again for taking the time to write that long reply too Doug, and
thanks to everyone else who took the time to answer this question as well!

You're welcome, this was a nice break from all the politics.

Fair Skies
Doug King

Did you obsess about your yacht club uniform until the later edition came
out? :-)

"Illinois Fisherman" wrote in message
...
I have a 1956 edition and a 1979 edition talk about a difference.



"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"DSK" wrote in message
. ..

Got a copy of Chapman's?

By law, every boat should should come with a laminated card tied to
someplace conspicuous, telling the new owner about the Chapman book. I
have
a newer one, but while packing to move to my new house, I found the copy
my
dad bought me in 1968. It's got a whole chapter on proper uniforms for
hanging out at the yacht club. What a stitch! :-)