hynespa
Well-Known Member
- Jun 7, 2010
- 314
- Boat Info
- 2005 420 Sundancer
- Engines
- T-VD-8.1 S HO MerCruiser (T-420 hp)
Hi all,
Almost 11 years ago I decided to learn how to braid rope, and ended up creating custom length dock rope for my boat. I have used this setup now on two different boats - and although unconventional (e.g. does not use traditional spring lines or fenders) I can say over the last 11 years it has not let me down.
Here are the advantages that have "paid" for themselves in time, hassle & appearance over and over:
- starboard looking forward
- starboard midships
- starboard looking back
- port side looking back
I utilized the following YouTube video's to teach myself the skill of rope braiding:
I also used New England Ropes for the dock line which has held up pretty good over the years (aside from getting a little stiff over time):
https://www.neropes.com/products/anchoring-and-docking/product/detail/premium-3-strand-nylon/
Interested if anybody is skeptical of this method - has tried it - or thinks it has any downsides. The only downside I can think of is the time investment up front to make the ropes (and the sore fingers for a day after all that braiding). If you think of others disadvantages - I'll be happy to share if I have experienced them over the last 11 years of using this method.
I do keep a full set of lines coiled in my rope locker for situations where I have to tie up temporarily at a guest dock, pump out dock or gas dock. This is only for my "home" dock.
Almost 11 years ago I decided to learn how to braid rope, and ended up creating custom length dock rope for my boat. I have used this setup now on two different boats - and although unconventional (e.g. does not use traditional spring lines or fenders) I can say over the last 11 years it has not let me down.
Here are the advantages that have "paid" for themselves in time, hassle & appearance over and over:
- It is simple for novice guests to help tie up the boat without understanding the intricacies of spring lines, proper rope length, or how to tie off or coil the rope.
- I designed it so even in the worst weather conditions the boat stays in the middle of the slip and will not make contact with the dock.
- I can keep my fenders stowed away which helps when it's time to wash the boat as well as the overall appearance off the boat when it's in the slip.
- I don't have to worry about coiling excess dock lines on the dock.
- I don't have to stow ropes after I untie and the boat is underway (the ropes stay on the dock - with the exception of the bow ropes which are Velcro' d to the railing when under way).
- I am on a fully floating dock - so I don't have to worry about tides / surges/ etc.
- I have two fingers on my dock.
- The boat is not overly "tight" or "loose" in my slip.
- I rotate the boat half way through the year (in the summer the boat is stearn first in the slip and in the winter the boat is bow first).
- There are 3 cleats on each finger - so I end up having six total ropes (3 on each side).
- starboard looking forward
- starboard midships
- starboard looking back
- port side looking back
I utilized the following YouTube video's to teach myself the skill of rope braiding:
- Part 1
- Part 2
I also used New England Ropes for the dock line which has held up pretty good over the years (aside from getting a little stiff over time):
https://www.neropes.com/products/anchoring-and-docking/product/detail/premium-3-strand-nylon/
Interested if anybody is skeptical of this method - has tried it - or thinks it has any downsides. The only downside I can think of is the time investment up front to make the ropes (and the sore fingers for a day after all that braiding). If you think of others disadvantages - I'll be happy to share if I have experienced them over the last 11 years of using this method.
I do keep a full set of lines coiled in my rope locker for situations where I have to tie up temporarily at a guest dock, pump out dock or gas dock. This is only for my "home" dock.