ABOUT DOCK LINES:

It is important to have at least a fundamental understanding of how boats are secured.

There are two types of rope: Stretchy (nylon) and non-stretchy (polyester, etc.). They both serve very different and important functions:

Rock climbers need stretchy ropes so if they fall, there’s some give and it won’t snap their back.

Boats – like rock climbers – need stretchy mooring lines when tied to the dock or at anchor to act as shock absorbers – for the comfort of the occupants, and so the boats are not damaged over time.

On the other hand, sailboats – and especially racing sailboats also have a very specific need for extremely non-stretchy ropes in order to maintain precise and consistent sail control – often when under very heavy loads.

So: It is not a good idea to use repurposed non-stretchy sail lines for dock lines. (Unless you incorporate elastic rubber or metal spring “snubbers.”)

New “stretchy” dock lines – after a preliminary break-in period will usually elongate and need to be re-adjusted.

There is almost always more than one way to do anything on a boat, and that includes dock lines. Craftsmanship, ingenuity, technology, intended use, environment, and traditions are all involved.

Opinions and practices may vary, but the points covered here will keep you on the right track.

Chafe is the enemy of all lines, and the most common cause of failure.

Top quality dock lines with proper chafe protection are quite durable and will provide long-lasting value for many years with a minimum of care and an occasional adjustment.

Further questions? Feel free to call, text, or email with questions or comments.

TRANSIENT vs. PERMANENT LINES:

•Transient dock lines are for when your boat is away from its regular slip or mooring. You need to have some designated dock lines aboard. These are generally made with an eye splice at one end and a whipped end on the other and chafe protection as preferred and appropriate.

•Permanent dock lines, as their name implies, are permanently attached to the hardware of your slip. They differ from transient dock lines in several ways. First, you must thoroughly protect them from chafe, the enemy of all lines in constant use. This calls for protective chafe gear where the line passes through the chocks, and possibly a chafe sleeve where it goes around the deck cleat. At the dock, the lines should be ideally protected from chafe using eye splices with metal thimbles, shackles, and chain. Or, at minimum should be well protected with chafe gear and fastened correctly. Permanent dock lines should be cut to fit the particular boat in the slip.

•Trailerable boats that don’t have a permanent berth may only have transient dock lines.

MARLINSPIKE SEAMANSHIP:

Marlinspike Seamanship is the Art of working with line or rope. Marlinspike is a nautical term for a spike-like tool used in working with wire rope, called a marlinespike. A similar tool used with fiber rope is called a fid.