wrote in message
oups.com...
I don't know if this topic has been done to death, but I am interested
in finding out what various boaters use for dock lines. The
information on the internet can be very confusing, and I have seen web
sites that recommend completely different rope sizes for the same size
boats. The rule of thumb is 1/8 inch diameter for every 9 feet of
boat. This is also what West Marine says in their literature. Other
sites say that boats over 25 feet, for instance, should use 1/2 rope.
I have moored my Bayliner 2859 all winter with just 3/8 inch lines, but
it has been in a protected slip.


I have a 25 ft hard top Thompson and use 3/8 lines, some 7/16, as I have
used on all my boats, in many instances, the same lines for the last 15
years.

Anyway, recently left on a dock on open lake which had several storms and
wind gust to 45 MPH. No issue on he dock line with snubbers. Can't say the
same for the guys dock, moved it and twisted a foot. Anyway lines held just
fine.