GL: Dock lines

[Charles & Pat Culotta]

Another consideration is to determine who will be handling the dock lines.
If you are a cruising boat and the Admiral will be throwing or handing off
the dock lines when entering each marina you may want to consider what is
Comfortable for her.  Double braid and a lighter line may be better at least
to get the boat secured. If you then want to beef up the lines, replace the
lines or better yet just add lines.  

the
first line off is 1/2" double braid because the key is to get that first
line to the dock hands.

Marty Campanella

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Doesn't giving your dock lines to the dock hands scare the bloody sense
right out of your head?
TT

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Marty,

Your suggestion may be a good one about the possible use of 1/2 inch to
initially dock. But and this is a big but,
Why would you turn over the control of your boat to someone on the  dock who
you do not know and will never see again, not to mention, what does he know
about docking your boat? 

If you or your mate places the eye of the line on the piling or cleat THAT
YOU SELECT before coming in or instruct someone on the dock to do so, YOU
maintain control of your boat. If you hand the bitter end of your dock line
to anyone on the dock you have GIVEN UP CONTROL OF YOUR BOAT. 

Personally I would not at all be comfortable using a 1/2 inch line to dock,
since in most cases, in our experience over the past 24 yrs, a spring line
is best for docking and often I must put a lot of pressure on that line due
to wind, current or space constraints. I think that my 40,000 lb boat could
break it.
For most of our trawler styles, 50ft plus a probable exception, 5/8 will
suffice and that is an easy line to handle.

In the Canadian lock systems we do use 1/2 inch lines due to the
configuration of the locks. In US locks we use 5/8.
I reiterate my suggestion of four foot eyes that are placed on the dock so
as to maintain control ON the boat. (Exactly what the professionals do.)

CCC

PAT & CHARLES C. CULOTTA, JR.
M/V CCRIDER
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