Samson Harbormaster Double Braid Docklines
Docklines are not something most of us put a lot of thought into at the point of purchase, but we should. These lines are your yacht’s first line of protection when tied up in an area where roll and surge can be a problem, either via wakes or climatological conditions.
Most ropes used in boating are braided ropes of manmade fibers, with nylon among the most common for its inherent property of resistance to damage from saltwater. Nylon is rot-proof and has an extended duty-life.
It can be made into ropes and lines for a variety of duties aboard, including dock lines and anchor lines. It’s resistant to oil, gasoline and most chemicals.
Along with having good abrasion resistance, nylon rope also has a good resistance to UV rays, surviving years of use. And it’s available in a variety of permanent colors to match most boat and yacht color schemes.
Ease the Shock
Nylon lines have considerable “elastic elongation” properties or stretch under pressure. This softens the shock on boat cleats and other fittings when docked in a harbor where large wakes or seas are a potential issue. Here’s the elongation table for HarborMaster Double-Braided Dock Lines. Note how the stretch increases as the load increases, as you’d expect.
Double braided lines are made up of a core strand around which the exterior strands are woven. In the finished line, each the core and the jacket bear the load 50-50. Double-braided lines are less likely to lose their braid (and concurrently their strength) than cheaper hollow-braid lines when put under pressure, as they might be during surge when cleated up short to a dock.
Samson HarborMasterTM Double Braid dock and anchor lines are constructed of 100% nylon, the best fiber for both applications. Nylon's elastic elongation helps smooth out the surge effects of wakes, waves, wind or heavy seas.
How Strong is Double-Braided Nylon?
Double-braided nylon is a very strong rope suitable for extended heavy loads. As with other lines, however, the strength depends on the diameter. It’s important to match line size to the size and weight of your boat, always opting for stronger line if you expect challenging conditions in some of your ports of call.
The chart shows the approximate breaking strength of various diameters of Samson Harbormaster Double-Braid Dockline.
Note how the strength of a line goes up geometrically with the diameter. A 3/8" (9 mm) line is rated for 4,900 lbs (2177 kg) while a ¾” (16 mm) line, only twice as thick, is rated for 22,200 lbs (10,069 kg), about 4.5 times as strong.
HarborMaster dock lines are pre-spliced with a secure eye in one end and available in a wide range of diameters and lengths. It’s available in extended lengths on spools as well.