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