Line sizing?

[quality time]

What size dock lines do you guys suggest for a 38' dancer? My in-laws bought me 1/2" lines for Christmas, I was going to get 5/8". All of the sizing charts that I've seen online say 5/8", but the chart on the boxes that the lines came in says 1/2".

 

[ImpulseIII]

Bigger is usually better. If the line fits on the cleat...go with the 5/8"

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

I have been on the fence on this one as well, and my boat is only 34'. I think I am going to use 5/8" just to err on the safe side.

For a 38 footer, everything I have read tells me you should be in the 5/8" column.

Watch ebay. I am seeing prices there far better then the typical supply houses.

 

[WFYB]

I would use the largest line that fits easily over the cleat for your permanent dock lines. Easily is the key word here. If the line is tight when it is new and flexible it will be a real pain to attach when it becomes 6 months old and stiff. The 1/2" lines are fine for your travel lines. One other thought - make sure they are long enough to handle oversize transient slips. Think 38' in a 60' sport fish slip.

 

[osd9]

I use 5/8" lines for the permanent lines and carry both 1/2" and 5/8" to use as a transient or to raft up to other boats....I decide based on the situations

 

[quality time]

thanks for your thoughts guys - I was thinking about keeping these for my travel lines and getting the 5/8" for my home slip (which by the way is 60'). I've been checking Ebay but I also have a few connections to get stuff like that at dealer cost.

 

[fwebster]

Also, there is a difference between braided lines and nylon twist lines..........

I use 5/8" double bbraid on bow and stern lines and 1/2" double braid on the spring and I use both forward and aft spring lines. I have 2 extra sets for travel and storm lines.

 

[Dave B]

If I had both 1/2 and 5/8, I would use the 5/8 as my travel lines. I base this comment on my experience that it is sometimes difficult to find proper, non-chafing mooring points while traveling (I chaffed nearly through two of seven lines during a squal on Lake Erie - tiny city dock was only mooring point - had the been 1/2, I have no doubt that I would have chaffed through). Neven had any kind of problem at home port where lines could be properly laid out. I currently have 5/8 for both home port and travel and you will outweigh me by a bit (I have a 1995 370DA)