Double braid dock line with a spliced and stitched eye. Polyester cover over a nylon core, so it resists sun and wear but still stretches.
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- This product is made in the United States.
Great for
- The eye goes over your cleat and the line is soft and easy to handle.
- Pick the length from your boat's length. The size guide is under Questions.
- The nylon core stretches, which protects your boat and hardware.
Also for this job
Specs
See all sizes
| Diameter | Weight (Lbs / 100 Ft) | Breaking Strength | Safe Working Load Limit (SWLL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 4.4 | 4400 | 366 - 880 |
| 1/2 | 8 | 7800 | 650 - 1560 |
| 5/8 | 13 | 12200 | 1016 - 2440 |
| 3/4 | 18 | 17350 | 1445 - 3470 |
| 1 | 25 | 30250 | 2520 - 6050 |
How it holds up
- Abrasion ResistanceVery good
- StretchControlled
- Rot ResistanceVery good
Description
Our double braid dock lines are made in the USA, with a spliced and stitched eye at one end that goes over your cleat. Each is a polyester cover over a nylon core: the polyester resists sun and wear better, and the nylon gives strength and controlled stretch that protects your boat and hardware. Double braid is typically the strongest way to make a rope, and it's torque free, so it won't kink and stays soft and easy to tie and untie. That polyester cover is what sets ours apart from other dock lines, and it's the step up from our 3 strand dock lines. They meet or exceed the Cordage Institute specifications for high-performance rope.
- Also called double braid nylon dock line
- Size by your cleats: 1/8 in of rope for every 2 in of cleat
- The eye grows with the size, from 12 in to 24 in
- Made just for your order, so it's final sale
Questions
Choosing a size
What diameter dock line do I need?
Start with your cleats. A simple rule is 1/8 in of rope for every 2 in of cleat length. Measure your cleats before you buy, and let the cleat size confirm your final choice.
Example: a 22 ft boat with 6 in cleats takes a 3/8 in dock line. A 1/2 in rope would not fit the cleat well and would stretch less.
- 6 in cleat: 3/8 in dock line
- 8 in cleat: 1/2 in dock line
- 10 in cleat: 5/8 in dock line
What diameter do I need for my boat length?
These are general guides. Check your cleat size to confirm.
- Boats up to 24 ft: 3/8 in minimum
- 25 to 32 ft: 1/2 in
- 33 to 44 ft: 5/8 in
- 45 to 55 ft: 3/4 in
Is a bigger dock line always better?
No. Many boat owners assume it is, but oversizing can cause harm. A rope that is too thick stretches less, so more stress goes into your hardware. It is also harder to tie off, and it raises the risk of cleat damage or failure.
Choosing a length
How long should my bow and stern lines be?
Use two-thirds of your boat's length. For a 30 ft boat, that is 20 ft bow and stern lines.
How long should my spring lines be?
Use the full length of your boat. For a 30 ft boat, that is 30 ft spring lines.
How many dock lines should I have?
For the most flexibility, carry these. Length depends on your dock, tides and slip, so having several lines ready helps with any marina layout or change in conditions.
- 2 bow lines
- 2 stern lines
- 2 to 4 spring lines
What you get
How big is the eye?
Standard eye lengths depend on the rope diameter. If you need a longer eye or a different line length, build your own on our Double Braid Nylon Rope page, using this same rope.
- 3/8 in and 1/2 in: 12 in eye
- 5/8 in: 15 in eye
- 3/4 in: 18 in eye
- 1 in: 24 in eye
More help choosing
Is the right size strong enough for my boat?
Here is an example: a 22 ft boat weighing about 3,500 pounds, with 6 in cleats. The proper dock line is 3/8 in.
A 3/8 in double braid nylon dock line has a breaking strength of 4,400 pounds. That means the rope is strong enough to lift the entire boat out of the water.
If a 1/2 in rope were used instead, it would not fit properly on the cleat, it would stretch less and the risk of cleat failure would increase. Proper sizing improves safety and performance.
What should I remember when choosing dock lines?
Size your dock lines by the size of your boat and the size of your cleats, not by the biggest rope you can find. Properly sized dock lines protect your boat, your cleats, your dock hardware and your investment.
The length rules here are standard guidelines. The right length also depends on your dock setup, tides and slip.
- Always measure your cleats first
- Do not oversize rope unnecessarily
- Choose nylon for its stretch
- Keep multiple lines onboard
- Match line length to boat length
Why is double braid nylon good for dock lines?
It combines strength and flexibility, resists abrasion, gives controlled stretch under load, and handles well when you tie and untie it.
Other boat lines
Do you make anchor lines too?
Yes. Our double braid anchor lines come with a stainless steel thimble spliced into one end, on a spool.
