Mooring Lines: Braid or 3-Strand?

[Baddox]

We need some new mooring lines to replace a disparate set, one of which is starting to show signs of chaffing.
There is no difference in cost for lines of equal length and diameter made from 3-strand nylon or soft polyester braid.
Are there any pros and cons to favour one line over the other?

 

[ghostlymoron]

3 strand has more abrasion resistance and better shock absorbance.

 

[prv]

better shock absorbance.

As does nylon vs the polyester.

3-strand is also much easier to splice eyes into.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

3 strand has more abrasion resistance and better shock absorbance.

I have rubber snubber on mine as well, it give a much better nights sleep

 

[Kukri]

Three strand Nylon. Better abrasion resistance and more "give".

Big ships - up to 440,000 tons - use plaited nylon, with steel wire tails in the case of tankers, but that is just because it is easier to make in very big sizes.

Do take note of one point - it is practically impossible to splice rope once it has been under heavy load.

 

[Kelpie]

I've found that my noisiest lines are the three strand ones. Is this normal? I presume the extra 'give' allows movement in the fairleads. So I tend to prefer braid-on-braid, and I don't actually want spliced eyes in them anyway as lines are more versatile without. This is based on a boat that is only ever on a pontoon when I am cruising though, so quiet lines are more important than shock absorption.

 

[Neeves]

I've found that my noisiest lines are the three strand ones. Is this normal? I presume the extra 'give' allows movement in the fairleads. So I tend to prefer braid-on-braid, and I don't actually want spliced eyes in them anyway as lines are more versatile without. This is based on a boat that is only ever on a pontoon when I am cruising though, so quiet lines are more important than shock absorption.

Many pontoons can suffer from snatch loading caused by waves (or wash) I would not discount the benefits of shock absorption (though you could add rubber dog bone things to allow that extra absorption - at another extra cost - though for a good nights sleep - worth every penny).

Jonathan