Mooring Line Thickness?

CaptainBob

CaptainBob

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About to order some mooring line. What thickness is recommended for general usage for a 26 foot yacht?

Different thicknesses for warps/springs etc?

I assume white nylon 3-plait is a sensible option?

Thanks!
 
there is a good reference table on Jimmy Green's website (technical info tab). They suggest 10mm, although a size up will always make the rope more comfortable to handle, particularly when surging! There is also a diagram of the "complete" cat's cradle of mooring lines with suggested length ranges to suit, based on LOA of the boat.
 
And where do you call a halt to that logical argument?

The lines that came with our old motor boat are lovely and big, very strong, very secure, but they're really too big for our already oversized cleats. They're a nuisance because they're TOO big.
 
It might be worth sourcing, and phoning your local Fishermen's Mutual. They are usually quite a bit cheeper for rope than a local chandlers. We use 14mm on a 26ft boat because thats what the FMA were selling - and was cheeper than 10mm from the chandlers (same quality)!
 
I have 16mm on my summer lines, but I add a further two 22mm strops for winter.

This is a trot mooring, if I was on a more exposed mooring I might opt for 22mm all year round.

If you go for light line, it will possibly be ok on paper, but sometimes it is better to go heavy for piece of mind... also, heavy line is easier to handle, but it may cause problems if you only have lightish fittings.

Sorry if I am repeating another post, I have not read the thread yet, [/slapped wrists]
 
For a 26 footer, 12 mm in nylon for easy ahndling and reasonable comfort. They are more than strong enough, even knotted. For permanent lines then as big as you can, say 14mm with good fixed chafe protection.
 
If they are for permanent lines, soft eye splices solve the "hard to wrap round cleats" problem. Set 'em up so that they have to be slightly forced over the cleat horns.

If you decide to go for lighter lines, use old firehose or polythene pipes for abrasion protection.
 
Nylon is more springy but will get stiff after a few seasons use, to the extent in my case that they were difficult to tie on to the cleats. Personally I find polyester remains useable much longer.
 
Nylon is right in principle but I gave up on it as it hardens to the point where it is completely inflexible. Polyester with with some kind of surge device is OK.

If you do want nylon the Industrial Estate at Brixham supplies it at half the price of a chandler.
 
My 26 footer is about 3 tons. My mooring lines are 12mm nylon 3 strand, the line onto the mooring riser is 16mm with an eyeslice, backed up by a 12mm to a seperate cleat.

I've had no problem with nylon lines hardening, I wash them in fresh water every season. I suppose if you're in a marina they'd be exposed to sunlight, which could do it. In that case, make up lines of the correct size to leave on the pontoon.

Swinging moorings are so much kinder to boats than marinas!

I certainly wouldn't trust polyprob. Have you seen how fast it degrades in sunlight?
 
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