Buying rope

[jason176]

I am anxiously awaiting my new boat and decided that I would start purchasing all the necessary equipment for it. I was wondering what size rope seems appropriate for docking and anchoring? It is a bentley pontoon and will be docked in a slip where wake and such shouldn't be a problem, boat weighs around 2000lb. I figured for the anchor I would use 3/8 nylon rope with the eyesplice and thimble and around 10' of plastic coated chain then of course the anchor. For the docking I was gonna get 1/2" nylon rope with a eye splice on both ends (with about 6 weaves on the splice) and then just looping it around the cleat twice to hold since I would rather not have to worry about a knot holding. Anyways does anybody see any problems with my plan,rope size,method of docking.

 

[Belchy]

Re: Buying rope

Sounds good to me, actually not to far off what i use myself.<br /><br />Belchy

 

[beezee28]

Re: Buying rope

don't forget the fenders. You might a few when you dock at the slip. You don't want to mess up the pontoon.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Buying rope

My boats is a 21 foot Runabout 2800 Lb and I started with 3/8 inch anchor line and 1/2 inch dock lines also. My boat is a trailer boat so left at dock for only a short time.<br /><br />Today My anchor line is 5/16 nylon 3 strand twisted. My dock lines are 3/8 inch braided Nylon.<br /><br />Reason I changed to smaller line is storage. I found that 300 feet of anchor line for two anchors takes a lot of room. Dock lines used only while loading and unloading from the trailer or going to the restroom. I found the smaller line fit my cleats better and eaiser to handle. I tried some 3/16 to use as a spring line when tieing to shore with bow anchored out. I just found this streaches much better. This allow me to position boat 5 feet off shore with a way to pull boat to shore for exit and loading.<br /><br />If you buy fenders get one twice the size you think you need. I know each time I have got new fenders they were bigger.

 

[springhead]

Re: Buying rope

Hi jason<br />if its a brand new boat, check with the dealer and see what equipment comes with the boat,<br />i boat a new boat in 2004 and it came everything,<br />fenders,anchor, anchor line, chain, fire ext, horn, flares,first aid kit, life jackets, rope.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Buying rope

Hauling in 1/2 anchor line is a lot easier on the hands than 3/8 or smaller line, especially if you have a heavy anchor and a lot of chain on the end.

 

[jason176]

Re: Buying rope

The river I will be boating is relativley shallow so I figure 100' rope max.. I definetly plan on getting fenders I am gonna wait to get the boat though so I can decide on which color to get. I asked the marina already about what the boat comes with and that is a negative on the accessories but I got what I believe is a good price on it so I can still sleep at night. Buttanic, you bring up a very good point, that thought never crossed my mind I am gonna ponder on that one since the 1/2" rope is twice the price of the 3/8 and you get less of it. Thanks for all the replies, everybody has been a great help.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Buying rope

The boat doesn't come with a coast guard package?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Buying rope

Personally, I think that the 1/2" docking line is overkill. I've used 3/8 line for 20 years on toons' and never had a problem. And that's on one of the most turbulant lakes there is(Lake of the Ozarks). Much easier to deal with and stores better and best of all, much cheaper...It takes a bunch to break a 3/8" line. I've had a cleat break before from wakes, but never the line...

 

[jason176]

Re: Buying rope

No coast guard package, but i'm not too worried about it though. I think I am gonna stick with 1/2" line for docking just for peace of mind, I believe that the 3/8 rope I was looking at was rated for a working load of around 270lb and the 1/2" was around 400lb. I doubt that there will be 270lb of tension on the line constantly but I tend to be the nervous type.

 

[KM2]

Re: Buying rope

I wouldn't get the dock lines spliced at both ends. It's unlikely that you will get them the right length unless you do it yourself. Then you have to deal with different docks sometimes etc. Just learn how to use the a proper knot on the cleats. <br /><br />I can't explain how to do it. So go to netknots.com under boating knots then cleat hitch for a picture diagram and instructions.

 

[jason176]

Re: Buying rope

You do have a good point but I was planning on making them myself. Also, the boat will be docked at the same slip for the season. Where I stand now I was going to buy a spool, make the docking lines, and store whatever is left on the boat for such occasions as needing different lengths for docking. I came across that website a little bit ago, that was how I learned how to make the eye splice and how to tie off to cleats, I do appreciate the input though.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Buying rope

Since your tying your own, this site is pretty cool if you haven't seen it already:<br /><br /> animatedknots.com

 

[Boatist]

Re: Buying rope

With 100 feet of anchor line at normal scope (7 to 1) the deepest you can anchore in is 12 feet.<br /><br />With Short scope (5 to 1) you could go up to 18 feet deep. No wind or current 5 to 1 is ok but if the wind comes up or in strong current you are taking a chance at 5 to 1.