Miker
Well-Known Member
My old ropes are 16mm, and are stiff and not easy to handle. I'm thinking of replacing them with Marlow Docklline. Would 12mm be sufficient? The boat is a relative lightweight 7.7 m in length.
Mooring ropes
- Thread starter Miker
- Start date
bobgoode
Well-Known Member
12 mm will be fine on a 7.7 m boat. Most 10 m boats will only use 14 mm and my permanant winter lines are 16mm
Consider a length of plastic pipe to stop chafe.
Consider a length of plastic pipe to stop chafe.
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
pontoon, wall, swinging, trot, pile?
river, exposed, open, fairly sheltered?
It makes a difference?
river, exposed, open, fairly sheltered?
It makes a difference?
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
Sounds fine....for a summer mooring in a sheltered situation. Not so good if on a pontoon exposed to weather and any surge though snubbers would help.
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
Yup, just like us, ropes gets stiff with age. Time for the bin - bet you put them in the locker, just in case, and never use them again!
14m nylon is a commodity - lasts well, and comes in so cheap - easy to handle. 12 does as well but less easy to handle. Octoplait is even nicer to handle and stays flexible too; worth the extra bit - perhaps for the brest lines?
I put a 12 inch loop in the end of all my docking lines so they fix securely on the deck cleats - means the crew can get lines on with confidence, and I don't have to worry the lines will come adrift!
PWG
14m nylon is a commodity - lasts well, and comes in so cheap - easy to handle. 12 does as well but less easy to handle. Octoplait is even nicer to handle and stays flexible too; worth the extra bit - perhaps for the brest lines?
I put a 12 inch loop in the end of all my docking lines so they fix securely on the deck cleats - means the crew can get lines on with confidence, and I don't have to worry the lines will come adrift!
PWG
Refueler
Well-Known Member
People quote Octoplait ... which in reality is loose 8 plaited braid without the straight core or sheath. It will always stay reasonably pliable, is pretty hard wearing but not as much as good 3 strand laid.
Sheathed braided line is terrible for getting stiff and unmanageable - looks lovely, but is not as hard wearing as plaited or standard laid rope.
The other benefit of standard 3 strand laid rope and plaited - is more people can splice it !
I have to admit that for years I had fixed braided lines on the pontoon suited to my boat. So it was drop eyes over boats cleats ... close up and go home. No need to set lengths for rise and fall ... all done years before.
Boat came out here to Baltic and I did similar on my house pontoon. Not long after decided it wasn't so good and opted for best DIY shop 3 strand I could get - NOT mid blue staple rubbish as you get in UK !! This was proper 3 strand but without fancy leader / marker tapes through the lay-up etc. Fitted snap-hooks (large ones !) and they now serve the boat ...
I admit my house pontoon is sheltered by high banks either side the channel to it ...
Sheathed braided line is terrible for getting stiff and unmanageable - looks lovely, but is not as hard wearing as plaited or standard laid rope.
The other benefit of standard 3 strand laid rope and plaited - is more people can splice it !
I have to admit that for years I had fixed braided lines on the pontoon suited to my boat. So it was drop eyes over boats cleats ... close up and go home. No need to set lengths for rise and fall ... all done years before.
Boat came out here to Baltic and I did similar on my house pontoon. Not long after decided it wasn't so good and opted for best DIY shop 3 strand I could get - NOT mid blue staple rubbish as you get in UK !! This was proper 3 strand but without fancy leader / marker tapes through the lay-up etc. Fitted snap-hooks (large ones !) and they now serve the boat ...
I admit my house pontoon is sheltered by high banks either side the channel to it ...
Miker
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone. The boat is on a pontoon berth.
