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25-04-2011, 20:22
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Boat: Catalina 350
Posts: 80
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Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
A friend told me to soak my lines in Fabrick Softner. That seems works ok. It doesn't seem long until they are stiff again. A couple of years ago, I tried clorox 2 to brighten them up. It seemed like forever before I could get all the detergent out. I know they don't last forever, but what should be my expectaition? What is a best practice for Dock Line maintenance and replacement?
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25-04-2011, 20:45
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX/Bocas del Toro, Panama
Boat: 1990 Macintosh 47, "Merlin"
Posts: 2,869
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
A repetitive soak in fresh water, followed by a soak in fabric softener.
Dock lines last 2-3 years in the South, before replacing. If your boat isn't in the water year round, you may get more.
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25-04-2011, 20:46
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Boat: Ketch, Hardin 45
Posts: 440
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
Dawn dishsoap a tbs or two in a bucket of warm water
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25-04-2011, 21:13
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Boat: Lavezzi 40, Pourpre
Posts: 964
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
Front loader washing machine on gentle.
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26-04-2011, 05:14
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
Like all synthetics, there is some surface resin content which reduces friction, and make the line pliable. When this UVs into oblivion, line gets stiffer. Fabric softener, gentle cycle for mine.
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
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26-04-2011, 05:38
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
Quote:
Originally Posted by boatman61
Best way to extend the life of docklines is simple...
Anchor out more often...
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Problem solved !!!
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
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26-04-2011, 05:56
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#8
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 10,278
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
Practical Sailor is doing a bit on this, due out soon. Tip: many lines didn't survive the washing machine. IF they did, it was because they were in a pillow case... but that didn't always work either.
Also a bit on bleach.
Also, they are doing a bit on line treatments. Fabric softner, since it washes out in the rain, turns out to be quite ineffective compared to other alternatives.
In the Chesapeake, in a typical well-protected marina, with proper chafe protection you should be able to get 10+ years. If it is less, the lines are poorly protected or miss-sized. I've gotten 15 years.
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26-04-2011, 06:36
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Narragansett Bay
Boat: Able 50
Posts: 3,139
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
The #1 thing to add to the ropes is HOT water and the #2 is some kind of soap. The heat and soap together will loosen up the salt/dirt combo that is clogging the ropes. If a washing machine seems a little daunting then use the bathtub instead. However you do it, be sure to rinse at least twice with fresh water.
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26-04-2011, 06:51
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#10
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 51,811
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
Never use Clorox Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite) on Nylon.
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"
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26-04-2011, 15:29
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#11
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 10,278
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
Quote:
Originally Posted by GordMay
Never use Clorox Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite) on Nylon.
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Yup, that is what it comes to. Sort of like quickly reducing your line one size. PS did some tests at varying doses and times, and then broke the ropes.
Also acid; I've heard that suggested, to get the lime out. For nylon specifically, acid is worse than bleach. NEVER. Battery acid can actually melt a rope in two within minutes, but weak acids are not safe either.
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26-04-2011, 15:36
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hayes, VA
Boat: Gozzard 36
Posts: 8,700
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
I use 5/8 in. dock lines and wash them in the washer with regular detergent once per year. I don't put them in the dryer. I daisy chain the3m to minimize tangle. You don't need fabric softener. It gets the salt out just fine. It's not like you need to get stains out. As Gord notes you don't even need to think about bleach. Oversized dock lines last a very long time. Be sure to whip the ends as they don't come that way. You might need to re whip them too. 1 in. Dacron lines will last a very very long time. 3 strand nylon won't last very long and in the end cost more.
__________________
Paul Blais
s/v Bright Eyes Gozzard 36
37 15.7 N 76 28.9 W
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26-04-2011, 17:38
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#14
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 10,278
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Re: Restoring Stiff Dock Lines
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pblais
I use 5/8 in. dock lines and wash them in the washer with regular detergent once per year. I don't put them in the dryer. I daisy chain the3m to minimize tangle. You don't need fabric softener. It gets the salt out just fine. It's not like you need to get stains out. As Gord notes you don't even need to think about bleach. Oversized dock lines last a very long time. Be sure to whip the ends as they don't come that way. You might need to re whip them too. 1 in. Dacron lines will last a very very long time. 3 strand nylon won't last very long and in the end cost more.
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ALWAYS whip the splices (generally they are, but look). They are notorious for coming loose in machines. Something about the steady milking back and forth.
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