Broke a new 1/2" Line

Jetmart

Jetmart

Member
Aug 10, 2010
282
Great Lakes - Lake St Clair
Boat Info
2004 Formula 37PC
(Previous 2004 280 Sundancer)
Engines
8.1 Volvo
Should a new 1/2" line break holding a Sundancer 280? It was tied to the stern in a 20kt gusting to 25 kt wind. I got to think it was defective. There was no camper top on it to add additional sail for the wind.
 
If those winds are strong enough to break lines, what affect do you think all the tooing and froing is having on the boats cleats? Any chance of ripping them out to?

Terry
 
Lord Farringdon said:
If those winds are strong enough to break lines, what affect do you think all the tooing and froing is having on the boats cleats? Any chance of ripping them out to?
Click to expand...

Don't know if the quality of the cleat mounts are the same between a 280 and a 48, but Sea Ray makes some damn tough cleats.

At Put-In-Bay during Christmas in July, a 48 Sundancer was tied to the outside wall of A-dock. A rogue surge came by and the Sundancer snapped a stout 4x8, bent the hell out of the 1/4 inch steel frame it was 4x8 was mounted to, and pulled the steel anchor brace out of the concrete.
 
Lines can break if you have them loose and they have a lot of dynamic load on them from the boat whipping around... dynamic loads (with all the momentum of your boat) can easily break a line in a storm... have to keep the boat movement to a minimum...
 
I would also think that the 1/2" line OP lost was either defective or old. IMO, it's a good size line for 280DA and should hold it fine. However, as with anything there're number of variables that may contribute to the cause:
1. Age of line.
2. Condition of the line.
3. As Gary said, boat movement.
4. As other folks pointed out, the quality of the brand.
5. Is the line robbing against some object that might damage the line and cut it loose?

Do you take your lines home for the winter or leave them hanging at the dock? I would think that with drastic weather changes between hot summer months and freeazing winter months in your region would shorten the life of the lines. Just a thought. I aways take my lines home, wahs them and store them and they look as new for the next season.

I haven't heard/read a recommended life expectancy for a line. If anyone know such recommendation, please share.
 
^^^
Alex – The OP said the line was new.
 
I pulled two cleats out of my dock last fall, and ripped my shorepower connection out. I added extra lines, and now most are tied to the pillings. I have 9 half inch lines, and whips to keep them in tension. I do need to check those cleats. It is never a bad idea to to have extra lines, especially when the winds pick up. We have had extremely high tides this lately, and tidal changes can allow for more play in the lines and more dynamic loading. I bet the line was not defective, just too much play...
 
rcknecht said:
....I bet the line was not defective, just too much play...
Click to expand...

Rod,

I totally on board to minimize the play, but it's not always possible. It would depend on the location, as you know. By us tides swings are very mild and minimizing the play is very much possible, but as we see in the marinas near inlets with tide swinging ~5' you'd need a lot of extra play on your lines.

I'm not sure about the tide swing at OP's marina, so if it has big swing, then it could be a good idea to have stroger lines (~5/8) to handle the extra dynamic load.
 
Now for the rest of the story ....

Line was new and in place for only 3 days. I was in a friends slip across from mine however his post which the cleats are mounted to had a rusty head of a bolt sticking out. The line did not break in the middle as the night guard at the marina had indicated. The line had rust marks on both sides of the break so it appears that with the strong winds there was enough rocking motion to wear through the line pretty quickly. I did not notice the bolt when I tied up.

I like this explanation a lot better then a new 1/2" line not holding a 28' boat in 30 kt winds.

Thanks all
 
Alex F said:
... I aways take my lines home, wahs them and store them and they look as new for the next season...
Click to expand...

What do you use to wash your lines? Also, have you or anyone else used fabric softener to make lines that have stiffened up more flexible?
 
320Bob: Use woolite to wash (very mild) and any fabric softener in the wash cycle. If lines are real stiff soak in 1 cup fabric softener mixed with water in a 5 gallon bucket for a while - rinse/spin in washing machine or rinse and hang to dry. front load (commercial) washing machines are preferred (no agitator). Daisey chain the rope and toss in. Same procedure used for lifelines and it works great on dock lines.
 
That is a scary story :wow: now I'm worried.

I use 1/2" lines on my 30' boat, should I upgrade to 5/8"?

I use the "WEST MARINE, Prespliced Double-Braid Nylon Dock Lines" rated at 8500lb. Breaking Strength
 
jpk33 said:
320Bob: Use woolite to wash (very mild) and any fabric softener in the wash cycle. If lines are real stiff soak in 1 cup fabric softener mixed with water in a 5 gallon bucket for a while - rinse/spin in washing machine or rinse and hang to dry. front load (commercial) washing machines are preferred (no agitator). Daisey chain the rope and toss in. Same procedure used for lifelines and it works great on dock lines.
Click to expand...

Thanks jpk, that's just the advice I was looking for.:thumbsup:
 
Scott, what is your preferred method to dry the cats? (they took off when I opened the pillow case).
 
I am in the process of buying new dock lines for my 280. Everyone I talk to has a different opinion on the size and length I need. Some say 5-30' 1/2" and others say 6- 30' 5/8". I don't see how 1/2" wouldn't be sufficient. Any advise???
 
floriduramax1 said:
I am in the process of buying new dock lines for my 280. Everyone I talk to has a different opinion on the size and length I need. Some say 5-30' 1/2" and others say 6- 30' 5/8". I don't see how 1/2" wouldn't be sufficient. Any advise???
Click to expand...

I use 1/2" and I've never had an issue.
 
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