Dock Line Questions
 

I need new lines for my 38' Donzi and wanted to see what length and diameter lines people were using on their boats of similar size. I only leave the boat in the water for poker runs and an occasional weekend. I always carry at least two spring lines, four dock lines and one or two extra.
Thanks.

I think we have 4 20' for normal tieups, one 15' for spring and a 25' just in case.

On my 38 I have 1/2 lines...(5) 25's, and (2) 35's. I also keep a 150 ft 1/2 anchor line, a 100 ft spare 1/2 anchor line, and a 40 ft 3/8 line I use with a small spare anchor if we're just hanging out at the local beach.


WOW, didn't realize how much rope I carry....maybe I need to remove some of this!!!

for my 38zx i carry one 30 foot 1/2" inch line (handy for when i am by myself. i can run it from the bow cleat to the helm so i can toss it if need be) two 20 foot 5/8" lines and two 15 foot 3/8" spring lines. Smaller diameter spring lines come in handy if the person you tieing off of has small cleats. These five lines i keep in the cockpit but i have a few extra 20" 1/2 inch lines stowed just in case. alot of times the 1/2 inch lines are easier to use though.

Also i keep one 5/8" 100' TopKnot anchor line with a Fortress FX-16 and a 1/2 inch 50' anchor line with a Fortress FX-7 for sandbars and for when i need to drop a stern anchor. i may replace the #7 with a box anchor but its tought to beat a Fortress though.

4 25' I keep in the cockpit and 2 35' stored in the cabin for bow or spring lines if needed for a long slip. 2 anchors 1 with 100' and 1 with 20' and a snap hook to clip on the trailer eye when hanging out at the sandbar.

I would highly recommend that you only buy 3/8 inch lines. Most boats can't handle the 1/2 lines in a raftup.

As other have said, a couple of 15-foot lines for tying off the stern and a couple more 20 to 25 foot lines for the bow. You will want spare lines for those times when someone leaves with your line. :rolleyes:

The length of your anchor line will depend on the depth of the water you frequent. I have one 150 foot anchor line and another 50 foot line (with a snap-link) for tying the stern to shore.

You can get all the lines you need at any local marine store like West Marine.

Enjoy! :cool:

There's a rule for this....which I can't remember exactly.....goes something like this; the length should be 2/3 the lenght of the boat.....

I keep 8 on board...downside is everyone always borrows them...some don't return.... Buy line cheap azzes!!


http://www.ropeinc.com/choosingdockline.html

Fenders...another pet peve..... Have them on board people....

I can't count the number of speed boat guys who don't have fenders and line on board....

and Anchors.....don't idle around waiting for me to throw anchor just so you can tie up to me...throw your own damn anchor and buy one for petes sake! ;)

Amen brutha :D . . . i will say this though, i have absolutely NO problem refusing to let a boat tie off that is not properly equipped. Spare life vests do not make good fenders and quality dock lines are not that expensive. . . . . .

HA HA! I have two rules for allowing boats to tie up next to me.

1) They can't be aluminum boats. :eek:

2) They must have (hot) women onboard. :D

Also, if it's a windy day, they must have an anchor.

On fenders... the bigger the better. Walmart fenders won't cut it! :rolleyes: