USE, TYPES AND CARE OF LINES
Few items on a boat are more useful than lines. Lines are used to moor the boat, hold it in place when anchoring or to pull the kids in the tube. Having a good selection of properly cared for lines is essential for all recreational boaters.
Line comes in a variety of material, thickness and length and serves three (3) main functions:
- Holding – mooring a boat to a dock or anchoring
- Pulling – skiing, tubing
- Lifting – lifting equipment from a boat up onto a dock.
Common types of lines - benefits and drawbacks
- Natural fiber rope – quickly rots if exposed to moisture for an extended length of time. Keep dry and out of direct sunlight
- Synthetic rope – nylon line comes in 3-strand and double-braided. Three stranded is easy to make eye splices in for mooring or tow lines. Polypropylene floats and is commonly used for skiing and tubing.
- Breaking strength – the boater should know the breaking strength of the lines they are using. Consult the manufacture ratings for various types and size of line. A line that exceeds the breaking strength may suddenly snap and can create a very dangerous situation.
Parts of a line
- Bitter End – the very end of the line
- Standing part – the area between the two bitter ends, or between the bitter end and the working part
- Working part – the part that is around a cleat, railing, etc.
- Eye – a man made loop in the end of a line or a natural loop that occurs when line is coiled.
- Bite of an eye – an area of the line that has looped around itself. NEVER place your foot or hand into the “bite” of an eye!
Line safety
- When “paying out” line (as when letting out line to a skier), make sure the line does not chafe on sharp objects and that it pays out smoothly. If the line begins to pay out rapidly, let go of the line.
- Be careful of rings and watches as they may be caught on the line.
- Know that any knot (including eye splices) in a line reduces the breaking strength of the line by 10%.
- Too much strain on a line may cause it to “part” (break). The snap-back effect can cause serious injury
Knots
Square Knot – two overhand knots used to join two lines of equal size
Clove Hitch – simple hitch used to secure the line to a railing or cylindrical structure.
Bowline – universal bend used to make a temporary eye in the end of a line.
Securing a line to a cleat – it is recommended to make one complete round turn around the base of the cleat and then make at least 3 figure eights. A locking hitch may be used to complete the process.
Lines vs. Ropes
The salty sailor will tell you there are only seven “ropes” used on board a ship and that anything else is referred to as line. The seven ropes all have names and a specific purpose. The seven ropes are: Foot, Bolt, Bucket, Bell, Tow, Head, and Becket.
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