best type of line for mooring lines?

I go against the grain of most on here. I use hairy polyprop because it floats and will never wrap itself around a prop. It's also cheap when bought in a 200m coil. To my surprise, it hasn't shown any sign of chafe in the 15 years I've been using it.

Having said that, I only use it when away from home. On my mooring bridle, which is exposed to the elements 24/7, I use 20mm green fishermen's line—also polyprop but green and shiny. I replace that every 5 years—11m @ 95p/m. That isn't suitable for dock lines as it's stiff and shiny, so only suitable when spliced.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Mooring Rope.

When you buy, read the latest product information. Most boaters will use either one form or another of nylon and perhaps also polypropylene.

Nylon

For most docking and anchor lines, standard nylon is a good choice. It has great strength, "gives" under load to absorb energy, and is relatively inexpensive. It's also easy to handle and resists the harmful effects of sunlight better than other synthetics. It's the rope of choice for anchoring rode.

Nylon comes in strands and braided forms. Three-strand is usually used on anchor rodes because of its stretch and resistance to abrasion. Braided forms, more commonly seen on dock lines and in sailing rigging, can snag easier than stranded lines but are usually easier to handle and have great strength. Some types of stranded lines are softer than regular three-strand and are less desirable for boat use. If you see stranded nylon in a hardware store, for example, that's very inexpensive, beware. Some types of braided lines are stronger and less subject to snagging. Don't just buy rope; read the various product descriptions each time you buy to help you make the right choice.

Normal loading should be nowhere near a rope’s breaking strength, certainly no more than 25%. This means your lines will stay functional even when stressed well beyond the service intended, resisting big wakes, strong winds, and other challenges. Remember, breaking strength decreases with age and wear, and knots and kinks in the line will weaken it.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is often recognized as "that yellow rope" commonly used to tow skiers, wakeboards, and dinghies. Because polypropylene rope floats, it's handy for multiple purposes. Made of synthetic fibers, polypropylene is almost as strong as nylon but less resistant to the sun's UV rays and will not last long. You shouldn't use this type of rope for more than a year or two, depending on usage and exposure to UV. This line will visibly disintegrate as it ages, but if you replace it regularly, it has its uses.

Are you interested in learning more about customized steel wire ropes for controlling? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation! Additional resources: Exploring the Benefits of Using Custom Steel Wire Rope

Sailing Lines

Your boat's running rigging is not the place to economize. If you purchase quality rope designed for specific use, you'll improve your boat's performance. Quality rope, when properly cared for, can be used repeatedly for progressively less demanding jobs, giving it a long and useful life.

With today's new high-tech synthetic fibers and advanced rope construction, you can buy rope that's 10 times stronger than steel with extremely low stretch. Many racers and cruisers have switched from wire to all-rope halyards; others have opted for high-strength, low-stretch, lightweight ropes for their running rigging.

All-rope halyards have several advantages over wire. Wire is hard on your hands and gear. Rope is easier to splice, won't scrape paint or anodizing from your mast, and you don't have to worry about a problematic rope-to-wire splice. The primary disadvantages are that rope is thicker, so it has more windage aloft (but around half the weight), and even ultra-low stretch fibers elongate more than wire. Quality rope costs more than wire but is easier to install, lasts longer, and can be recycled for less demanding tasks.

Color Code

To avoid hassles on the water, color-code your lines so that they are easily identifiable by your crew. Examples of colors to use are:

• Mainsail sheet and halyard — White

• Jib/genoa — Blue

• Spinnaker — Red and green for guys

• Vangs and travelers — Black

Color coding also helps distinguish the different lengths of dock lines.

Contact us to discuss your requirements for Mooring Wire Rope. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.