Docklines

[NDH]

The time is approaching to renew our dock lines and the more I read the more confused I become.

At present we have 8 strand multiplat and they are without doubt the noisiest things on the planet. Despite trying plastic hose, old tee shirts and even in desperation a bucket of water the d**n things gang up to ruin a nights sleep.

So any advice or tips welcomed short of earplugs...... I was thinking 3 strand nylon but now I am not so sure.

[Dockhead]

That's weird -- do the lines themselves squeak or do they squeak from rubbing against something? If the latter, then I don't think changing the lines will help -- you have a chafe problem. You might think about running the lines differently, maybe add some fairleads.

Are they polyester or nylon? Or polypropelene?

I use octoplait polyester dock lines, and they don't squeak. I like the way octoplait feels and coils. But three-strand is also ok for docklines.

[Blue Stocking]

We use Sampson 5/8" Goldbraid. Have found that the less angle change from cleat, thru fairlead, to dock, makes a lot of difference to "squeak".

[NDH]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

That's weird -- do the lines themselves squeak or do they squeak from rubbing against something? .

Its the lines themselves that squeak around the cleats when any pressure is applied, and of course it seems to be magnified inside the hull.

[thinwater]

A. It's possible (but unlikely since you've tried many things) that the chafe gear is squeaking. The quietest gear is hollow webbing.

B. It's probable that the line itself is squeaking, due to the loss of spinning lubricants in the line. This is common in all older lines. Try a wash-in water repelant treatment (Nikwax TX-Direct 2.0 Wash-In Water Repellent Treatment - 34 oz. at REI.com) which will replace these lubricants. It can also be used on running rigging, quieting old sheets. Worked for me. It was reviewed by Practical Sailor and found to work for over 1 year in this application. Read the old issue.

Yeah, squeaking docklines can disturb sleep. Been there.

[zeehag]

i use 3 strand, and i use that yachtbraid junk--when i use yachtbraid, i use lots and many more lines than with 3 strand nylon. i have seen boats on moorings break from the mooring with yachtbraid so i donot like it for big winds and swells. my favorite dock lines for my 41 ft boat are 50 ft 3/4 inch nylon 3 strand.
i like firehose as a chafe guard. i am using whatever i can find--leather, denim...also good.
noises will happen--the lines squeak and make noises with themselves, with the cleat, and with the boat's chocks or hawses. you will not gain absolute silence.

[bstreep]

We use 3 strand, 3/4" nylon.

When the lines start to squeak, we rinse them several times in a bucket of fresh water and then soak them in water plus fabric softener. Works like a charm!

[hellosailor]

"water plus fabric softener. "
Fabric softener is basically water-soluble wax, a lubricant, which should relieve the friction that is causing the leaks. Like any other wax.

You might also try talc (plain baby powder) work it into the fiber, that's another common lubricant for squeaks.

[zeehag]

when i am at dock i hose mine off well. before i leave and plan on anchoring, they are rinsed well with hose before i let them dry for stowage.

[NDH]

Just told SWMBO that the lines will need to be washed with water and fabric softener............... she thinks I'm losing it

I will see if this makes a difference to the multi plat.

I am of a mind to replace with three strand, am I correct in assuming nylon is preferable to polyester or polypropylene ?

Thanks

[zeehag]

3 strand nylon doesnt snap or wear out due to sun shine.

[micah719]

Would polyester be good to stop mooring lines going into the prop?

A long time ago, before my long hiatus from the sea, I saw an invention for mooring; basically very strong fibreglass poles mounted on deck with the mooring lines run from the ends to the dock. Was meant to act as a spring and ease chafe, and adjust for tide fall. Another thing to chase down and verify and debug or discard.

Fabric softener for lines....another addition to the micahfiles...thank you!

[Eleven]

The disadvantage with any sort of sleeve on a line is trapping damp in the line, but that's probably just a UK problem.

[thinwater]

BTW, search threads on washing lines. There are many opinions, but all all agree that if you simply through them in the machine you can get:
* Broken machine (rope manufacturers will confirm the damage claims). Either from shreads or the rope twisting the spindle off.
* Knots.
* Herniated or unlaid rope.

Either a daisy chain or pillow case, all on gentle cycle. Or use a bucket.

You could do worse than simply hosing them off and then soaking in one of the above treatments for an hour.

[Jim Cate]

Quick fix for that middle of the night squeak: spray the suspect area (cleat, fairlead etc) with WD40 or equivalent. Instant fix, no noticed repercussions over the years.

Cheers,

Jim