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Tropical Boating

Dock Lines

Dock lines should be inspected regularly and replaced as needed when they show signs of chafing, wear or stiffness. If just a few feet of line near the end are chafed, you can often postpone purchasing new dock lines by cutting off the last few feet and making a new eye splice, but eventually the line will need to be replaced.

Don't forget to check the spare dock lines in your boat's locker or lazarette. If you don't use them very often, you might be surprised at how old and stiff your transient dock lines can get just sitting below in the bottom of the lazarette. You don't want an unpleasant surprise when you go to use them for the first time in months.

Dock lines should be made of nylon for the best combination of strength and elasticity. Nylon is strong and durable, and because it's "stretchy," it can absorb the shock of the additional load when waves or wakes shove your boat around. Low-stretch lines made of other materials, such as polyester, can break, or loosen or tear out your cleats.

Three-strand dock lines are the most affordable and the easiest to splice. Double-braid lines are somewhat stronger than three-strand, but have less stretch.

Your bow and stern lines should be about two-thirds the length of your boat. Spring lines should be about as long as the boat itself. The diameter of the line needs to be larger for larger boats. For smaller boats, a smaller diameter line can be used, but don't go below about 3/8", because the line becomes harder to handle and hold onto, and very small diameter lines will stretch too much and wear out earlier. Here's a guideline for the diameter sizes appropriate for different boat sizes:

Dock Lines and Mooring Lines for Sale

"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 10' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $3.94 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 15' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $4.49 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 20' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $5.71 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	Economy Three-Strand Dock Lines Economy Three-Strand Dock Line, 3/8 inch Dia., 10' Length, 3,800lb. Breaking Strength Price: $6.99 More Info From West Marine Made by SEAFIT
"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 25' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $7.02 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	Economy Three-Strand Dock Lines Economy Three-Strand Dock Line, 3/8 inch Dia., 15' Length, 3,800lb. Breaking Strength Price: $7.49 More Info From West Marine Made by SEAFIT	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 15' Gold-N-Braid Dock Line" Price: $8.15 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	Stearns Solid Braid MFP Dock Line with Spliced-In Loop Price: $8.49 More Info From Bass Pro Shops
Stretch Dock Line Price: $8.99 More Info From Bass Pro Shops	"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 1/2"" X 20' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $9.34 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 20' Gold-N-Braid Dock Line" Price: $9.42 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 15' Dbl Braid Dock Line Red" Price: $9.78 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope
Economy Three-Strand Dock Lines Economy Three-Strand Dock Line, 3/8 inch Dia., 20' Length, 3,800lb. Breaking Strength Price: $9.99 More Info From West Marine Made by SEAFIT	Dock Buddy Stretch Dock Lines Dock Buddy Black Stretch Line 4' Price: $11.28 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Anchor Ropes Stretching	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 20' Dbl Braid Dock Line Red" Price: $11.45 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 25' Gold-N-Braid Dock Line" Price: $11.55 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope
"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 1/2"" X 25' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $11.69 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	Dock Buddy Stretch Dock Lines Dock Buddy Black Stretch Line 5' Price: $12.09 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Anchor Ropes Stretching	Polypropylene Dock Lines Polypropylene Dock Line, Royal Blue Price: $12.49 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Dock Buddy Stretch Dock Lines Dock Buddy Red Stretch Line 6' Price: $12.92 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Anchor Ropes Stretching
Dock Buddies Dock Buddy Dock Line, 4ft., Yellow Price: $12.99 More Info From West Marine Made by GREENFIELD PRODUCTS	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 1/2"" X 15' Gold-N-Braid Dock Line" Price: $13.37 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 1/2"" X 30' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $13.91 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	Dock Buddies Dock Buddy Dock Line, 5ft., Yellow Price: $13.99 More Info From West Marine Made by GREENFIELD PRODUCTS
Dock Buddies Dock Buddy Dock Line, 6ft., Red Price: $14.99 More Info From West Marine Made by GREENFIELD PRODUCTS	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 25' Dbl Braid Dock Line Red" Price: $15.60 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 1/2"" X 20' Gold-N-Braid Dock Line" Price: $16.28 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	Premium Black Prespliced Three-Strand Nylon Dock Lines Premium Black Nylon Line, 3/8 inch Dia., 15' Length 4,000lb. Breaking Strength Price: $16.99 Sale price: $12.74 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE
"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 5/8"" X 20' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $17.68 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	PWC Dock Line w/Snap Hook Price: $17.99 More Info From West Marine Made by KWIK TEK, INC.	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 1/2"" X 25' Gold-N-Braid Dock Line" Price: $18.00 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	Economy Three-Strand Dock Lines Economy Three-Strand Dock Line, 1/2 inch Dia., 30' Length, 5,700lb. Breaking Strength Price: $18.49 More Info From West Marine Made by SEAFIT
Economy Three-Strand Dock Lines Economy Three-Strand Dock Line, 5/8 inch Dia., 15' Length, 10,500lb. Breaking Strength Price: $18.99 More Info From West Marine Made by SEAFIT	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 1/2"" X 20' Dbl Braid Dock Line Red" Price: $19.15 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 1/2 inch Dia.; 15' Length; 8500lb. Breaking Strength; White Price: $19.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 5/8"" X 25' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $21.38 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope
Bass Pro Shops Twisted Nylon Dock Line Price: $21.99 More Info From Bass Pro Shops	Premium Black Prespliced Three-Strand Nylon Dock Lines Premium Black Nylon Line, 1/2 inch Dia., 15' Length, 6,800lb. Breaking Strength Price: $21.99 Sale price: $16.49 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	"Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines 1/2"" X 25' Dbl Braid Dock Line Red" Price: $22.35 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	Economy Three-Strand Dock Lines Economy Three-Strand Dock Line, 5/8 inch Dia., 25' Length, 10,500lb. Breaking Strength Price: $22.99 More Info From West Marine Made by SEAFIT
Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 1/2 inch Dia.; 25' Length; 8500lb. Breaking Strength; White Price: $23.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Kwik Tek AHDL-4 Airhead Bungee Dock Line 4 Ft. Price: $24.60 Sale price: $18.74 More Info From UnbeatableSale, Inc. Made by Kwik Tek	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 1/2 inch Dia.; 15' Length; 8500lb. Breaking Strength; Black Price: $24.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 5/8"" X 30' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $25.15 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope
Kwik Tek AHDL-6 Airhead Bungee Dock Line 6 Ft. Price: $26.23 Sale price: $19.88 More Info From UnbeatableSale, Inc. Made by Kwik Tek	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 5/8 inch Dia.; 15' Length; 13,500lb. Breaking Strength; White Price: $28.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 5/8"" X 35' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $29.38 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope	"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 3/8"" X 30' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $29.83 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope
Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 1/2 inch Dia.; 25' Length; 8500lb. Breaking Strength; White/Gold Price: $31.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Premium Black Prespliced Three-Strand Nylon Dock Lines Premium Black Nylon Line, 5/8 inch Dia., 15' Length, 11,000lb. Breaking Strength Price: $32.99 Sale price: $24.74 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 5/8 inch Dia.; 15' Length; 13,500lb. Breaking Strength; White/Gold Price: $33.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	"3-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 1/2"" X 35' 3 Strand Nylon Dock Line" Price: $34.77 More Info From BoatersWorld.com Made by Performance Rope
Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 1/2 inch Dia.; 35' Length; 8500lb. Breaking Strength; White Price: $38.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 5/8 inch Dia.; 25' Length; 13,500lb. Breaking Strength; White Price: $41.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Premium Navy Prespliced Three-Strand Nylon Dock Lines 5/8 inch Dia.; 25' Length; 11,000 Breaking Strength Price: $42.99 Sale price: $32.24 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 1/2 inch Dia.; 35' Length; 8500lb. Breaking Strength; White/Gold Price: $43.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE
Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 5/8 inch Dia.; 25' Length; 13,500lb. Breaking Strength; White/Gold Price: $46.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 5/8 inch Dia.; 35' Length; 13,500lb. Breaking Strength; White Price: $52.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 5/8 inch Dia.; 35' Length; 13,500lb. Breaking Strength; Red Price: $59.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Premium Black Prespliced Three-Strand Nylon Dock Lines Premium Black Nylon Line, 5/8 inch Dia., 35' Length, 11,000lb. Breaking Strength Price: $62.99 Sale price: $47.24 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE
Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line, 3/4 inch x 25', 15,000lb. Breaking Strength, White Price: $64.99 More Info From West Marine Made by NEW ENGLAND ROPES	Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line, 3/4 inch x 25', 15,000lb. Breaking Strength, Black Price: $69.99 More Info From West Marine Made by NEW ENGLAND ROPES	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 3/4 inch Dia.; 25' Length; 19,400lb. Breaking Strength; White Price: $72.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line, 5/8 inch x 35', 10,400lb. Breaking Strength, Black Price: $74.99 More Info From West Marine Made by NEW ENGLAND ROPES
Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 3/4 inch Dia.; 35' Length; 19,400lb. Breaking Strength; White Price: $79.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 3/4 inch Dia.; 25' Length; 19,400lb. Breaking Strength; Black Price: $82.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE	Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line, 3/4 inch x 35', 15,000lb. Breaking Strength, Black Price: $84.99 More Info From West Marine Made by NEW ENGLAND ROPES	Prespliced Double Braid Nylon Dock Line 3/4 inch Dia.; 35' Length; 19,400lb. Breaking Strength; Black Price: $92.99 More Info From West Marine Made by WEST MARINE
Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line, 1 inch x 50', 22,500lb. Breaking Strength, Black Price: $289.99 More Info From West Marine Made by NEW ENGLAND ROPES	Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line, 1 inch x 60', 25,000lb. Breaking Strength, Black Price: $314.99 More Info From West Marine Made by NEW ENGLAND ROPES	Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line Prespliced Mega Braid Dock Line, 1-1/4 inch x 80', 37,000lb. Breaking Strength, Black Price: $539.00 More Info From West Marine Made by NEW ENGLAND ROPES

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