Recommendations for new lines

[Fjord John]

Hi

I need to buy 4 new lines/mooring ropes, pre spliced. C 12m length and 2cm diameter for a 34 foot motor boat. Does anyone have a recommendations for something nice quality? We use locks a lot, so something nice to handle would be good.

Thanks in advance

John

 

[Sticky Fingers]

20mm seems huge for a 34’er. Mine is 48’ and I use 16mm. I like the braided multiplait docklines which are very soft. Require skill to splice so I buy them ready to use, spliced eye in one end and whipped at the other.

Example
Marlow Blue Ocean Dockline, 100% recycled polyester | Jimmy Green Marine

 

[Tranona]

While those are very nice to handle they are nearly 3 times the price of normal double braid standard 15m long lines available in most chandlers Agree 20mm diameter is OTT. Would hate to have to handle the weight of that regularly going in and out of locks! 14mm would be more normal for that size boat.

 

[CJ13]

20mm seems huge for a 34’er. Mine is 48’ and I use 16mm. I like the braided multiplait docklines which are very soft. Require skill to splice so I buy them ready to use, spliced eye in one end and whipped at the other.

Example
Marlow Blue Ocean Dockline, 100% recycled polyester | Jimmy Green Marine

20mm is huge and will be difficult to handle. I’d go for 12mm multiplait and eye splice them myself. It’s really very easy & plenty of tutorials online.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

While those are very nice to handle they are nearly 3 times the price of normal double braid standard 15m long lines available in most chandlers …

Yes, was an example rather than a specific recommendation.

 

[jbweston]

I prefer not to have an eyesplice loop because it (a) tempts the crew / me to use the eye splice end on the boat and then any spare line after making fast is on the shore which is untidy and (b) tends to put the wear all in one spot on the line where it goes over the toerail, or through the fairlead, or leaves the cleat. Whereas simply making fast to a cleat allows the line to be adjusted easily so the spare is on the boat and the use of a cleat means the place of wear can be varied over time. If a loop is needed a bowline takes only seconds to tie and again can be varied in length and postion on the line to spread the wear.

Also sooner or later someone is going to try to slip a line from the eye splice end and it's going to snag because of the loop or becuse for some reason eyesplices often seem to create a stiff section at the end of the line that doesn't feed well.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

That’s exactly what I do. Eyesplice loop through the deck cleat, although all loose ends go back to the rail. I’d never be slipping the eye splice end obviously, as it’s on the boat cleat… If the line looks even slightly frayed I bin it and buy a new one.

Different strokes.

 

[jbweston]

That’s exactly what I do. Eyesplice loop through the deck cleat, although all loose ends go back to the rail. I’d never be slipping the eye splice end obviously, as it’s on the boat cleat… If the line looks even slightly frayed I bin it and buy a new one.

Different strokes.

I agree. So much of boating is down to personal preference.

 

[Refueler]

Eyes catching when letting go .... so many times heard the 'expletives' in marinas when it happens !!

If you fig 8 at both ends - you have choice of how you let slip ..

I do at times put a bowline in one end to 'catch' a shore bollard / cleat to stop the boat ... or to secure on board ... but once boat sorted alongside - its fig 8 both ends if possible.

To OP - have you looked at Jimmy Green shop .. they do mail order lines ...

As others say - do yourself a favour and use a less diameter line .. 8mm and above will be near impossible for a 34ft boat to break unless storm and chafe ... so it comes down to size of cleats and easy to handle. I like 10 - 12mm multibraid for lines on my 38ft sailboat ... 5ton ..

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Eyes catching when letting go .... so many times heard the 'expletives' in marinas when it happens !!

If you fig 8 at both ends - you have choice of how you let slip ..

...

My spliced eyes are always on the boat cleat. Why would it catch? I don't remove it from the cleat till I'm well under way, then lines can be stowed.

 

[Refueler]

My spliced eyes are always on the boat cleat. Why would it catch? I don't remove it from the cleat till I'm well under way, then lines can be stowed.

That's fine as long as they are on the boat ..... but it only needs a 'crew' to decide to swap it round and then it can be interesting ....

My point also is eyes can be extremely difficult to uncleat ... impossible if load on ... but fig 8's both ends allow you to choose which end to let go - and unless badly laid - can always be let go under load or not.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I instruct my crew exactly how things are to be done, they don’t make it up. I take the point about uncleating the boat end, if I did that I’d be leaving the line still attached to the cleat on the dock never to be seen again probably. Can’t imagine a time when (a) that would be required and (b) I’d be out in my boat. Happy to learn something new

 

[Refueler]

I instruct my crew exactly how things are to be done, they don’t make it up. I take the point about uncleating the boat end, if I did that I’d be leaving the line still attached to the cleat on the dock never to be seen again probably. Can’t imagine a time when (a) that would be required and (b) I’d be out in my boat. Happy to learn something new

Lets say weather is getting really bad ... you are on the boat and its taking a beating ... you have choice ... let go from the boat and clear away ... or risk going on pontoon to let go ...

I have had such situation and in all honesty - to save boat and lessen risk to me / crew - I let go from the boat ...

I carry enough lines on board of various lengths - that should someone decide to half-ass away my lines left - I prefer that to risking myself on the pontoon ...

 

[Sticky Fingers]

... Can’t imagine a time when (a) that would be required and (b) I’d be out in my boat. Happy to learn something new

This. But I see what you mean.

Lets say weather is getting really bad ... you are on the boat and its taking a beating ... you have choice ... let go from the boat and clear away ... or risk going on pontoon to let go ...

I have had such situation and in all honesty - to save boat and lessen risk to me / crew - I let go from the boat ...

I carry enough lines on board of various lengths - that should someone decide to half-ass away my lines left - I prefer that to risking myself on the pontoon ...

 

[Refueler]

One day it will happen ... I didn't plan to be - but it happened .... my 'crew' - the wife - was adamant she wasn't going out onto any pontoon ... in fact not even out of cockpit.
Having Fig 8's allowed me to throw off lines and get clear safely and let boat ride the weather ... later going back to pontoon and picking up our lines.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I’d be adding more lines and fenders then heading to the pub. Not going out. Planing motorboat remember.

 

[Sandy]

Hi

I need to buy 4 new lines/mooring ropes, pre spliced. C 12m length and 2cm diameter for a 34 foot motor boat. Does anyone have a recommendations for something nice quality? We use locks a lot, so something nice to handle would be good.

Thanks in advance

John

I like LIROS Braided Docklines.

LIROS Braided Dockline Mooring Warps | Jimmy Green Marine

and find the quality and service from Jimmy Green extremely good.

p.s. I am in the non looped end camp. I can always undo an OXO under load; locking turns cost crew members several rounds in the club/pub.

 

[Poecheng]

I have changed over my (away from home) mooring ropes to Lalizaz shock absorbing mooring ropes. These are dockline but with some elastic spring inserted and are extremely good (and fairly expensive). I have both sizes, from memory 18mm and 15mm. They are 8m x 12mm and 8m x 15mm and ample for your boat. Force 4 Shock Absorbing Mooring Lines | Force 4 Chandlery

 

[Refueler]

Its worth thinking that most ropes we use - would pull the cleats out of deck ... and even out of pontoons ...

The main concern is not so much Breaking Strain of the ropes - but the diameter to cater for wear ... of course braided which many prefer has limited capacity for wear due to the outer braid sheath. But for heavy duty and liable to wear - there's always the good old 3 stranded rope. Or use of lengths of garden hose with rope passed through.

 

[dunedin]

Its worth thinking that most ropes we use - would pull the cleats out of deck ... and even out of pontoons ...

The main concern is not so much Breaking Strain of the ropes - but the diameter to cater for wear ... of course braided which many prefer has limited capacity for wear due to the outer braid sheath. But for heavy duty and liable to wear - there's always the good old 3 stranded rope. Or use of lengths of garden hose with rope passed through.

Yes, I use three strand ropes for the “winter ropes”. Also good because they are very easy to splice loops on the ends ……………