Mooring lines

[poshboy]

Feel a right amatuer asking this but what thickness of rope should I be looking at for mooring an 18ft GRP bowrider? She's going to be in a modern pontoon if that makes any difference.

[zoomy]

10mm will probably have a break strength of just over 2,000kg's which should be fine.

[TTwiggy]

Given the number of canal boats near my office who seem to put their faith in blue nylon twine, I'd say that a pair of long laces bent together should do you just fine

But yes, as said, 10mm is strong enough for use as halyard material, so will be fine for mooring warps.

[Riff Raff]

I've always used string with a bit of 'give' in it for warps. If it was me, I'd nip into the local chandlery and see what they have in the way of cheap octoplait or laid rope. Although you can use braided lines (as for running rigging) it is low stretch.

Buy whatever suits your pocket. Thinner is cheaper, but thicker is easier on the fingers

[GBGaffer]

[boat mooring pedant] Don't forget that you will want 4 bits of rope (head, stern and 2 springs)[/boat mooring pedant]

OK - I know she's only 18' but it's a good habit to get into

[Riff Raff]

GBGaffer][boat mooring pedant said:

Don't forget that you will want 4 bits of rope (head, stern and 2 springs)[/boat mooring pedant]

OK - I know she's only 18' but it's a good habit to get into

Well, if he doesn't get into the habit, he'll spend the second year of ownership polishing out the marks the fenders have made on the hull whilst the boat saws back and forward on the bow and stern lines...........

[Fishtigua]

If you want to get really poncy, they make pre-spliced lines too. Pricey but very smart looking.

http://www.englishbraids.com/Yacht-Accessories/fas...

[J3JCV]

Riff Raff said:

GBGaffer][boat mooring pedant said:

Don't forget that you will want 4 bits of rope (head, stern and 2 springs)[/boat mooring pedant]

OK - I know she's only 18' but it's a good habit to get into

Well, if he doesn't get into the habit, he'll spend the second year of ownership polishing out the marks the fenders have made on the hull whilst the boat saws back and forward on the bow and stern lines...........

Exactly how many cleats does an 18' speed boat have to moor with?? In my experience they are not overspec'ed and you will be lucky to get more than one turn with 10mm lines.

[Riff Raff]

J3JCV said:

Exactly how many cleats does an 18' speed boat have to moor with?? In my experience they are not overspec'ed and you will be lucky to get more than one turn with 10mm lines.

If you can't work out how to get four lines on to two cleats then you shouldn't be taking your boat off the pontoon.

iMHO.

[J3JCV]

Riff Raff said:

If you can't work out how to get four lines on to two cleats then you shouldn't be taking your boat off the pontoon.

iMHO.

I have crew for those jobs

I have seen many such 20ish foot boats with overloaded cleats, so they end up using hand rails etc. I was just pointing out ( all be it badly) that It is very common for people to buy significantly larger anchoring and mooring equipment than they actually need especially on boats that size.

[poshboy]

Ok so to recap 10mm lines will be fine, I have two teather points at the bow one just either side of the the navi light, one either side in the middle of the boat and one either side at the rear. You guys mean tie both fronts to the pontoon plus both rears to stop the back end swaying into the pontoon? cheers btw very helpfull, I like this place as I don't get annoyed responses because I'm new to this boating malarkey

[Fishtigua]

Try to see if this works for you.

[GBGaffer]

http://www.sailtrain.co.uk/anchoring/images/Ropes%...

Bugger - Fishtigua beat me to it

[TTwiggy]

You could use the midships cleat for springs.