How do I evaluate the integrity of dock lines after a storm?

[Laser fun]

After having survived Hurricane Matthew in the slip I am curious what I should look for when examining the dock lines for stretch. Chafe is pretty apparent but stretching maybe not so much. I've heard about looking for strands and fibers standing or separating due to stretch and heat? Since I don't have the original lengths recorded it would not be possible to compare current lengths. Any input appreciated.

[JPA Cate]

I've never actually encountered line that has melted on the inside, but if I were you, I would check for hardness in the interior of the lines, because when nylon gets melted, it dries hard. I would also look for chafe, and re-purpose or cut and splice dock lines that have evidence of severe chafe. We've done that, but find that we do not use the spliced one as a primary dock line, more as a spring line, now. Perhaps someone will chime in who has actually detected the melt in the line, and can explain better than me.

Ann

[Laser fun]

Thanks for input!

[JPA Cate]

Laser Fun,

Estarzinger, a CF Advisor, has done some destructive testing on line. He and his wife Beth are quite knowledgeable, Maybe a PM to him, would help you towards an answer to your question.

Ann

[a64pilot]

Nylon lines I have had that were overstressed grew in length a little, got narrower and stiff. I have never seen a melted one either, but I don't know what makes them stiff either

[captain58sailin]

Polypro lines will show melted strands if they have been overstressed. With Samson braid nylon, if you see clean or new looking threads where the surrounding threads are the normal dirty color then the line limits have been tested, would stop using a line like that, I would keep a close eye on it and use it as a secondary. With 3 strand nylon, it will be stiff.

[thinwater]

Although this will not solve the current problem, there is a simple way to tell if a nylon line has been over-stressed.

• Insert a thread of a contrasting color between the core and the cover.
• Secure at one end and bring about 15% of its length out and trim.

If the tail is sucked inside, the line stretched more than 15%. This is sometimes done on safety equipment.

[SVNeko]

Get new ones before the next hurricane. Use these as normal docklines until they fray.

[zeehag]

fueycame patricia came bashing threu i had my lines i have been using for 6 yrs in place. post patricia i have 1 heavy hawse yachtbraid with exterior covering worn. still usable. inner core perfect. i have been using tha tone all summer. our gentle breezes have been 20-40 kts, generally, in afternoons and tboomers. is fairly normal.
my lines have seen more than 50 forming cyclonic events in 5 yrs.
i have 2 3 strand lines with ruptures in one strand. i use for back up and spring lines. as they are heavier than my neighbors original lines i am not worried. i use 6 lines each side of my boat to secure to docks.
i donot trust yacht braid as dock lines. yacht braid has no stretch. i have watched as yacht braid snaps in high winds allowing the moored boat to exit thef ield. oops. i use it only as a backup for 3 strand lines which carry the brunt of the work.
3 strand stretches.
the ruined exterior of my hawse line occurred when the piling i secured my boat in patricia chafed the outer cover through.
i use my lines until they are totally useless. but i also donot leave my boat for extended periods of time. fractured/ruptured lines for me are excellent backup.
if you have doubts about your docklines, buy new and use old for backup and springs. i also use old lines for snubber lines when at anchor.

[GordMay]

Samson Rope’s Inspection and Retirement Checklist
➥ http://www.samsonrope.com/Documents/..._Guide_WEB.pdf

Samson’s Rope Users Manual ➥ http://www.samsonrope.com/Documents/...Manual_WEB.pdf

Cordage Institute’s Fiber Rope Inspection and Retirement Criteria
➥ http://www.ropecord.com/cordage/publications/ci2001.pdf