Why is ropecalled line?

[nitsuj]

This may seem like a frivolous post, but hey, at least it's not another "How much is my boat worth" or "Whats thebest boat under $2000 that will go 100mph" Anyhow...

All your life, you're taught things. Left is left. Right it right. Front is front and back is back. Then you buy a boat and start hanging around boat people. Now left is port. Huh? Right is starboard? Ok. Front is fore, rear is aft. Unless front is bow and rear is stern. Sides are gunwales. But they're only spelled gunwales. They're pronounced "gunnell". Ok, got it. But the one I don't understand is the rope. I've been saying rope all my life. But spend anytime around a hard core boater, especially one with naval or professional fishing experience and you're told rope is line. And it's not just mentioned. It's a big deal. "ROPE?!? Did you just say rope? It's called LINE you scurvy dog. Get it right or I'll keel haul ya!"

So what gives? Why is rope called line, and why is I so important to say line instead of rope. I know guys who have no problem dropping F bombs in front of ladies and children, but feel saying rope is an offense punishable by plank walking.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Because thats what it has "always" been called, before rope. I don't want to burst your bubble but a cable is a "wire". We would always have new guys start on the river and it does sound funny when I would tell him to grab that line and he's like "what" what line? Same thing with a "wire" get away from that wire!! It's not a cable it's a wire. It's old terms that will always stay, just like on the river, fish and shrimp on Fri, Steak on Sat, and a roast of some type on Sun(Tradition) and it doesn't change. It's just the way it's done on the water.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Rope is Rope until it has a JOB to do...

Then it is magically upgraded to LINE

That rope laying there in the corner? Attach it to an anchor and it is Anchor Line...


If you string it between two trees and put your britches on it..Its a Clothes Line...

 

[JB]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

With a different job. . .on a rag boat (sailing vessel). . .it may become a sheet, a rode, a binding, a restraint or a stay.

 

[ThrashN]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

I was just getting the "Port & Starboard" thing down, now you throw all this at me.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

As CheapboatKev eluded to, traditionally, when brought in from the chandlery in bulk form (i.e. on a reel) cordage is referred to as "rope". As soon as it is cut and assigned to a use it is 'Line". Also, tradionally there are four 'ropes' on a square rigged ship, bolt rope, bucket rope, foot rope, (& dang now I can't remember the forth ! ).


(9/17)
Remebered it! - The bell rope! (Bell rope, Bucket rope, Bolt rope, & Foot ropes)

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

As CheapboatKev eluded to, traditionally, when brought in from the chandlery in bulk form (i.e. on a reel) cordage is referred to as "rope". As soon as it is cut and assigned to a use it is 'Line". Also, tradionally there are four 'ropes' on a square rigged ship, bolt rope, bucket rope, foot rope, (& dang now I can't remember the forth ! ).

"MANROPE" I think. All good info above.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Ok well since we're on the subject, lets talk about rope and line for a second. What rope/line do you carry on your boat? What type of line do you find the most useful? Do you just have several coils that do all duty? Or do you have separate anchor lines, docking lines, ski ropes(which BTW is never packaged as Skil Line). How do you store it neatly to make sure it pays out smoothly?

 

[Cofe]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

If I get a lot of rope for the boat, the yard arm will be needed to stow it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

There are a lot of discussions about anchor lines (rodes) elsewhere. Skip them for now.

You need at least one bow and one stern line, preferably two stern lines. Each should be the length of the boat as a rule but I think 20' is optimal; longer if you frequently cross tie. Some suggest a bow line a little shorter than the boat so that if you drop it overboard it won't foul the prop.
I prefer a heavier line than necessary just because it is easier on the hands esp. if you have to do some hard pulling--against current, off the mud, etc.
So don't use your ski line for mooring.

Learn how to coil line so that it doesn't twist (don't wrap around your elbow) and how to whip the ends to prevent unravelling. Good line dropped loose into a hold or onto a deck will not tangle, except ski line if left alone unattended at night. You can also throw coiled line with surprising accuracy if you know how to split the coils and heave it correctly. A monkey fist or other running block know helps.

For safety carry some extra line of various sizes for repairs at sea.

Synthetic is perferrd to cotton so it won't rot. There is a lot of bad rope out there that will fall apart or hurt your hands when used as line.

Learn your knots. All proper seamen's knots can be released no matter how tight they've been pulled.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

LOL, I have so much cordage floating around it's SICK.

What do I really use on a regular basis? Mostly 3 strand twist in 3/8 or 1/2 inch. My fenders are setup with 1/4 inch. I also have some 5/16 ths around.
I have 1/8 braided that gets used for lashing. There's also some 5/8 inch and 3/4 and 1 inch.....everything has it's own job. No, while I'm going on this isn't all on one craft. THAT would be sick. Anyway the mooring lines are separate from the anchor lines are separate from the ski lines...... everything coiled neatly and accessible.

I actually started a thread awhile ago about people who went out and bought tens of thousands worth of boat and tow vehicle and then used ski rope, clothes line, and kite string ( I swear it's true ) to secure the boat.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

It also goes beyond tradition. Boating wasn't always as relaxing as it is now. Everyone had a job, much like sailing today. It's much more effeicent and safe when everyone speaks the same lanquage. In a hurry up situation you yell for someone to grab the rope and there looking on the deck for a piece of rope when you actually meant line which is attached to something. Precious seconds can be lost.

For knots try this site, it's interactive and show almost every knot you'll ever need.

http://www.animatedknots.com/

 

[insanity]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

I just bookmarked that page there is a lot of info there thanks!

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

The proper handling of lines is an art form, not hard and easy to learn, it just takes a bit of time. You will be very glad you took the time in the future.

There are just a few knots that one should be able to tie, fast and without hesitation. It is useful to be able to bend two lines of different diameter together as well.

 

[Floatsum]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

My favorite line is the springer.
I'd be lost without it.
Rope can also be warp.
.... and heavy cable can be called (wire) rope.
Light rope is twine.
Short light rope or twine can be a lanyard.
and the rope you pull to start your engine? Chord.

See? It's all so simple after all.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Ok, so whats the springer?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

The springer was traditionally used on the Spaniel galleons.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

The springer was traditionally used on the Spaniel galleons.

Yeah, cause they were such dogs.

What we're joking about ( I think ) is called a spring line....which is used fore and aft when securing alongside something ie: a dock or another craft, to minimize relative motion along the length.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

And don't forget hawser.

Sailor adage:
"If the line is too short, you can always splice two together.
If it's too long, you're out of luck."​

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Another important one is the shoreline. Newbies on a ship are often sent to "go get 20 feet of shoreline."
Often kept with the relative bearing grease.