Show me the ropes...

[tonyjh63]

Someone educate me on what are all the ropes I need for my boat. It's an 18', 2" bowrider runabout (1999 Bryant 182 Limited). How many docklines, bowlines, sternlines, etc. should I have on my boat, how long, and diameter for each type, and what exactly each of them are. I.E., the difference between a dockline and a bowline...
I've been boating for a while, but have always just had a smorgasbord of ropes I'd use, with no clear organization, and I'd like to change that.
I'm thinking a lot of other, newbie boaters might find the information useful as well. Thanks in advance!
Tony

 

[Scott Danforth]

your anchor rode should be about 15X the depth you boat in. when anchored, you will use between 7x and 10x depth, and a little extra helps

for dock/bow/stern lines, I would suggest 3/8 lines by about minimum 15' long. get 4 or more of them

I also recommend a 75-100' length of 1/2' line for a tow line

 

[alldodge]

18 Foot Bow rider
Anchor line (3/8, suggest 3X the depth for normal good weather anchoring and if things get bad, have another 2X the depth that can be added to it if need be, so 5X total. The anchor also needs at least 10 feet of chain to help hold it down.

Dock line 3/8 (but look at your cleats. If the cleats will not handle the 3/8 line may need smaller, but larger is always the way to go. Need at least 4 lines but 6 is better, and a bow line is same as dock. Dock lines also get used for tying boats together and should be at least as long as your boat, but 25 footers are great all around. Now if your going to leave your dock lines at the dock, then you need more

Agree, for that size boat a 75 to 100 foot 1/2 tow line

Could also need some small lines attached to your fenders

 

[dingbat]

Dock on rare occasions... restaurant, supplies and fuel, etc. Normally backed into a slip.

Two (2) 5/8" x 20 ft. double braided nylon dock lines
One (1) 1/2" x 50 ft. twisted nylon with eyes tied on both ends (bow line)

Anchor -1/2" x 250 ft. three strand nylon with 10 ft. of 1/4" chain
30" drift anchor

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

I also like my lines to be heavy I want them to stay in the boat at 80 mph in a 40 mph wind same for when I’m going 50 mph on the water I’ve seen docking lines that like to take flight don’t need one in a trailer wheel or prop if it gets whipped up. Horn, fire extinguisher throwable inflation device there’s a coast guard approved inflatable now as well will save you a lot of room, they will ticket you if your throwable is not visable and in reach here. Tow insurance

 

[achris]

When you are in a mooring pen, cross your stern lines (starboard cleat line to port mooring pole, port cleat to starboard mooring pole). Anchor rope, about 3 to 5 times the water depth, and a HEAVY chain between the anchor and line. I use about 7 metres of close-link stainless chain on 12mm rope. Also, have a drogue, use about 1 to 1-1/2 boat lengths of rope on the drogue... And I launch from beaches, I have a 50' 12mm line for that. And as a scuba diver, I have a float on the end of 40' of 12mm rope as a 'mermaid line' from the stern when I dive, and a 5 metre 'drop line' with a weight on the end... That's for hooking catch bags, cray nooses and spear-guns onto when I get back, and as a 5m reference for my 3 minute safety stop...

Chris.....

 

[Bondo]

I’ve seen docking lines that like to take flight don’t need one in a trailer wheel or prop if it gets whipped up.

Ayuh,..... For that reason, I always use a bow line that is 1 foot shorter than the distance from where it's tied, to the prop,....

 

[JoLin]

Do you boat in lakes or tidal waters?

I boat almost exclusively in a salt water bay, but the normal tide swing where I dock and travel, is only about a foot. I back into a slip between 2 pilings up near the bow. Since the tide swing is minimal, I don't criss-cross the stern lines. It's easier to get on and off the boat if the lines aren't crossed, but you need to know your tides.

Lines carried aboard hte boat consist of 4 15-20 footers for tying bow and stern, as well as 2 lines about as long as the boat that are used as spring lines. I have a couple other lines stashed aboard just in case I need something special.

I've assembled lines of different colors to make it easy for the wife and I to grab the right ones. Stern lines are white, bow lines are blue, and the spring lines are white/gold. We raft up often with friends, and she needs to place lines and fenders, 'cause I'm up on the bridge. Speaking of which, don't forget 4 fenders- 6 inchers will be adequate for your boat.

My .02

 

[tonyjh63]

JoLin, my boating is exclusively in a lake about 30 miles from my house. I know the requirements for that kind of boating is a bit different than out in open water...I just need the basic stuff, nothing too complicated/fancy. Thanks to everyone for their responses!
Tony

 

[dingbat]

I also like my lines to be heavy I want them to stay in the boat at 80 mph in a 40 mph wind same for when I’m going 50 mph on the water I’ve seen docking lines that like to take flight don’t need one in a trailer wheel or prop if it gets whipped up.

Stowing the lines after shoving off is part of the routine of raising and lowering the antennas, fishing rods in and out of the rocket launchers, etc. prior to passing under the bridge over the creek leading to open water.