How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

[GHBAY]

How many bow lines on your boat? A separate line for both port and starboard, or a single line from the center?

Is the size of your boat your reason? If so, how big?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

I think each boat should have a bow line and a stern line at least, and preferably an extra, too. 15-20' each for boats under 22'. There are a million uses for them besides mooring, including tying one to your throwable, which doubles its safety function.

One reason I prefer two long ones is that I often moor overnight between two parallel piers. Each boat owner has to look at his typical mooring situation and equip accordingly. You may need two on the bow and one on the stern, or a spring line amidships, depending.

Likewise, some keep the lines stowed underway and some leave them fixed. I do both depending on the boat and where I am, and if I leave fixed lines on my pier. I also often have a monkey fist or at least a running block (figure 8) knot in the end so I can toss it across a pier, catch between the planks, and haul myself in.

For my main lines I get them larger (diameter) than needed b/c they are easier on your hands, don't knot up, easier to throw (learn to throw a coiled rope as part of your seamanship. Your extra can be smaller than the two main working lines.

Some suggest the bow line should be just a little shorter than the boat so that if it falls overboard while underway it won't reach the prop. IMO that can leave you with a line that is too short; the better practice is to keep track of the lines. That's' how I was brought up even as a little boy, to check the bow line, and I still do after 55+ years of boating.

BTW once a rope leaves land and gets on a boat it is a "line."

 

[Grub54891]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

Mines only 17 foot,but I use 3 both sides at bow and stern,and midship. That way no matter where ya pull up you are ready.working at the marina,there are to many bigger boats with inadequate lines,and can and does get the boaters in trouble trying to switch lines in the wind.Even if we have to take one to the service slip,we have to leave the harbor to allow enough time to switch out lines/fenders,the boaters don't exactly get it. Most are ok but not all. You can never have to many,even add cleats if needed,I don't like tying to grab rails or anything that looks sketchy.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

i keep about a dozen various lines on board and when possible tie up at least 3 corners along with a spring line or two

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

I have 2 lines always tied, one on the bow, one on the stern. These are there primarily for launching where I launch, or tying up at our favorite hangouts. I have a bin full of at least 8 other dock lines in the 15-20' range to use as spring lines or what ever. Two former ~ 80' anchor lines with a hook on one end I use to tow people or tie off if the dock line is not long enough, and two 100' lines I have specifically for use with my drift sock.

In addition, each of my bumpers has a 10' dock line on them

you can never have enough lines.

 

[dingbat]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

I carry 2-20' and 2-40'. Always stowed while under way.

Saltwater...90% of the time in a four post slip cross tied. The other 10% tied to fuel or bait dock

 

[GHBAY]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

I should clarify- I mean 'fixed' lines, or those that you leave attached while underway.

I definitely agree with having extra lines in the boat.

I am debating adding a second. Have always only had one.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

I should clarify- I mean 'fixed' lines, or those that you leave attached while underway.

I definitely agree with having extra lines in the boat.

I am debating adding a second. Have always only had one.

well, to get better advice please clarify what boat and what conditions. You definitely need more than one, for safety if nothing else.

But anyway, whether a line remains fixed or not is driven by your particular use, and at that, it's all a matter of convenience and personal preference; there is no "right" way except that the line must be securely attached to your boat, and if tied off while underway, all the way inside the boat--not sitting flat on the bow deck where it might fall off and overboard.

As to the latter, there's nothing wrong with having a line attached to the bow eye, but because it is below the rail and partly out of sight, you have to insure that it is "all in." For me it's simply a natural step for getting underway.

Here are some techniques you may want to try:

On my boat with one cleat on the center of the bow deck (and two chocks) I leave a line tied with a bowline (that's a knot) through the cleat eye, so that the cleat is available for an anchor.

For another boat with a square bow and two cleats on each side, I have a bowline loop (or you can buy line with a spliced loop) which I stick through the cleat eye then over the cleat, so I can move it from side to side depending. I do the same with my stern line on the other boat.

On a larger boat that I keep moored at my pier, I leave the mooring lines behind, so the boat's lines stay stowed unless I need them--often I go out all day but never tie up anywhere. Those lines have spliced loops that I run through the cleat eye and over, as and where needed. But if I know I am going to be tying up somewhere, I consider how and then attach the lines in advance. Nothing worse than fumbling with them at a pier; be ready.

Often I pull up to the marsh or beach and only need a short length of anchor line. So my coiled line is tied off (wrapped) but I leave 10' loose so I can cleat it off without having to unwind the whole line.

Store your lines dry. For lines I leave on the cleats, I coil them and hang them off the cleat, rather than laying on the deck.

A monkey fist or running block knot is convenient in the end of a line. But never leave a tangle-knot in a line; it will weaken it.

Learn knots such as a sheet bend for connecting two lines of different sizes, as well as basic nautical knots.

 

[GHBAY]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

thanks- lots of good info there.

I guess I was just curious what others did, as opposed to looking for 'advice' per se. The boat i am deciding on now is an 18' runabout. I am in the process of fitting new cleats to a boat I am redoing, and had the option to change it up. For me, its just cause im lazy and having one on each side is easier

I have been around boats my whole life- fresh water (great lakes), 10'-28' mostly, and it is very very seldom I see boats with more than a single fixed bow line. Of course, lots of folks have separate lines in their boats for various purposes, that can be pulled out and used as needed (myself included) but the single bow line most often serves both port and starboard for tying to the dock. In most cases, the line is not re-positioned to separate cleats based on what side it is needed on, but just run through chocks from the center.

 

[agallant80]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

I would go with 4. One bow, one stern and one spring and the 4th is an extra. I ended up loosing one once and had no spring line.

 

[rallyart]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

No fixed lines on my 21'. The wife would not want them getting in the way while we are in the boat. I carry one bungee dock line and four 15' dock lines, and two 20' heavy lines that I could moor to a buoy or tow with, and a wakeboard line, and a ski rope, and a surf rope, and an extra 100' of nylon line, and a few old lines that are 'just in case'. The tube and the anchor keep there own lines attached to them.
No fishing lines though.

Oh, and the dock has lines left on it so I don't use any of the lines I keep in the boat, they just stay stowed unless I stop somewhere else.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

If you plan to leave a line attached to the bow, make sure it is a couple feet too short to reach the prop.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

I have one bow line in the center and two stern lines; one for each side.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

If you plan to leave a line attached to the bow, make sure it is a couple feet too short to reach the prop.

while i understand the reasoning for this, I think the better practice on a boat under 20' is to have sufficient line, and keep it under control. If it stays attached to the bow eye, a small interior cleat to secure it is one option.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: How many bow ropes? 1 or 2?

Several extra always on board and four fixed, two front each side and same on back, 15' each.

The biggest reason for me is on the front; the design of my boat isn't real easy to get to the front bow from the cockpit. The cleats are forward of the cabin windows (look below at the horns and just forward of that) and it is a narrow walk so they are on the cleat up front and tied off back to the cockpit. I can untie there and jump out to dock or throw to another boat.

The back ones store behind the bench seat back so not in the way and always there and ready.

on an 18' runabout (open bow?) probably don't need them just always stop well short of where you will need them, get them out, attach and then continue in. Don't try to pull up then get lines out.