Mooring lines

[GeorgeTina]

My Beneteau First 305 (weight say 4500kg) is moored in a marina in Italy. The current mooring lines are now stiff enough to stand upright on their own, so I need to replace them. The yacht is wintered on the water. The current mooring lines are 14mm but these are difficult to get round the cleats and can jam, making them difficult to undo. I would like to go down in size to 12mm. for use when I am on board and then double up for the winter.
The marina is well protected from swell and there is little tide but the wind can be very strong when a Bora blows in the winter. All sails and the spray hood are removed to reduce windage.
So will 12mm lines doubled up be adequate for mooring or should I continue to use 14mm.
Your advice and experience would be most welcome.

 

[Cliveshep]

3 strand nylon 12mm, also Octoplait and Anchorplait in 12mm all have the same breaking strain of 3000kgs, As you are not actually going to be suspending the boat by the foredeck cleat I suggest that this would be amply strong enough. Anyway, will your foredeck cleat still be attached with a strain of 3000kgs? For what it's worth, I'd go for the cheaper 3-strand nylon which does the same job, but then I'm a tightwad!

Source: Jimmy Green at:http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/technical_info/rope_-_breaking_strain_guide.htm
and : http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/custom_...warps/custom_3-strand_nylon_mooring_warps.htm

 

[LadyInBed]

Stiff Lines

If they aren't chaffed, why not take them to a laundrette and give them a good wash?

 

[Cliveshep]

While the boat drifts off into the sunset?

 

[Angele]

While the boat drifts off into the sunset?

Nah! Wait till there is a strong onshore wind and, once she is stuck fast on the rocks, she won't be going anywhere!

 

[LadyInBed]

While the boat drifts off into the sunset?

Don't tell me that you don't carry any spare lengths of rope that could be used for an hour or two