Mooring Lines

Hurricane

Hurricane

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I was thinking of treating JW to some dedicated mooring lines for her home berth - and using some three strand twisted instead of the braid on braid that came with her. Although, she's in the Med, she's on a conventional UK style pontoon berth. I was thinking of something around 25mm twisted polyester - her braid on braid that was supplied by Princess is currently about 22mm dia.

I'm sure this question has been asked on here before but where is the best place to get some rope. OK, I'm sure that its the case of the more you pay, the better the quality but it would be good to hear some opinions. Is there any make or type I should stay clear of?

And how should it be attached. I was thinking of soft loops at the boat end but what at the pontoon (cleat) end.

Oh, yes, and for piece of mind how should they be "doubled up" - perhaps 2 lines of 20mm instead of one 25mm.

Any thoughts?
 
Hi Mike

We have static lines for ToT at Brighton - soft loop at the boat end, snubber in the middle on every line bar one, and a thimble at the pontoon end, connected to the pontoon cleat via a shackle and a short length of standard 10mm chain. This arrangement is secure enough to prevent the ropes from vanishing while you're away, and also leaves the pontoon cleat free for use by anyone else who's in your berth (not really a prob for you, I know, but here at Brighton the berth would definitely get reused by visitors if you're away for a few nights in the summer).

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Don't mention mooring lines

Ours are like bloody hawsers, they are stiff, ungainly and weigh a ton.

I am told they are necessary because the boat weighs 20 tons but I only have small hands - and I am getting on a bit

He now has an ultimatum - he must change them before the season kicks off or he may find himself dangling from the radar arch with one of them wrapped around his neck

I dream of soft, light, pliable ropes

May
xx
 
Most of the polyester rope available now is good stuff. If you are buying 100 meters, of say 24mm, find a supplier who will sell it by weight!! Thats how they do it in Italy, probably same in France, at a wholesale place. I bought 100 meters of 28mm for 100 euros, in sardinia, its bloody good rope. I use mine for kedge anchor warps, 2x50m.
I know how big your boat is and I think 24 or even 22mm will be plenty, especially doubled, as it gets bigger as I'm sure you know, its a bugger to handle.
Englander displaces 48 tons and we use 20mm mooring warps, which are more than adequate.
 
yep - I have the same arrangement for my 'permanant' back spring that I leave on my pontoon berth. Works a treat.

Back in , catch the spring then O/B engine kick astern and boat is alongside and cannot hit the walkway astern whilst you tie up. The chain is heavy too and acts as a 'snubber'
 
Yep, agree with Jimmy, chain round the pontoon cleat and through a metal eye in one end of the rope, and a soft eye at the other for your boat cleats. Alternatively you can buy leather sleeves to go over the rope at the pontoon end, to stop it wearing too quickly.

I think 25mm 3 strand polyester will be fine for made up warps with loops, but I wouldn't want it that thick if I was tying off on the cleats, it's a lot more difficult to work with than 22mm. I know, cos I bought some 25 in error.

Maybe just double up the bow and stern ropes, the springs are unlikely to break.
 
Yup i would definitely not get 25mm. 20 would be fine and 18 for the springs. Those will have breaking loads, even if knotted and badly chafed, of much more than you need. 25mm is too awkward to handle imho and you'll maybe not get enough turns on your cleats which makes the set up weaker not stronger
 
Not a lot to add to what other posters already mentioned, 'cept that if you decide to double up the lines I'd arrange them asymmetrically. I mean, one static on the pontoon, and the other recoverable from the boat.
This gives a greater flexibility when leaving/arriving, 'cause you can release/secure the more convenient set first (depending also on the availability of dock hands), and take your time with the other one.
Other than that, doubled lines are just a double trouble imho.
 
marinesupersport in port solent always seems extremely cheap for marlow.
Not sure if that helps in your current location !
 
Thanks everyone.
Some good ideas and suggestions here
I think I'll be going for 20mm lines and attaching them as suggested but for peace of mind (spelt wrong last time - wrong type of piece) I will probably double up on everything.

Thanks
 
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