Custom length dock lines

tonystoy

Has anyone had custom length lines made for their boat? If so, could you recommend a company? TIA!

TonyG13

Do you mean lines you'd use at your home dock with eyes at both ends? I would not recommend that method since there are a bunch of variables when tying up a boat.

What I did was buy longer lines than needed, have the eye end on the boat-side cleats, then tied off the bitter ends on the dock, allowing for slack/tightening adjustments as needed, then cut, melted, and plastic-tipped the bitter ends. (You can also get fancy and whip them.)

Viola! Custom dock lines with no extra mess on the dock. These are the lines I just detach and drop on the deck when departing, and ready to go when we get back.

I of course have another set on the boat for wherever we are going.

LaRea

Short answer, no -- I never had custom lines made, but I always cut the dock lines to length in my home slip. 

Years ago I was using a cleat hitch for each line, but I stopped doing that because it didn't leave enough room on the cleats for adding storm lines.  Instead, I'd tie a bowline knot for the dock cleat.  I'd whip the rope end by taping with electrical tape, cutting through the tape with a sharp knife, and melting the end.  

To really save space on the cleat, you can pass the rope through the center hole and then tie the bowline.  

tonystoy

So I am able to have a 4 point tie off while back at the dock. My thought was to have custom lines with eyes on both sides to tie off to the pilings for my front 2 cleats (I dock with stern in) and then have adjustable lines on the back 2 cleats. I just feel like it will be easier, keep me centered in the dock on those front 2 custom lines.

LaRea

How much tide swing do you have?  Maybe you should look into TideMinders -- those "string of pearls" things that ride up and down on the piling.  Those things are great.  You pull them both tight and the boat will stay perfectly centered.  
https://www.tideminders.com/

tonystoy

I’m on Lake Erie…so besides the once a year seiche, it is maybe a couple of inches at times. I live 25 minutes from the dock, so during bad storms or possible seiche situations, I can run down there quickly.

aero3113

For my Home Dock I ordered 2 I think 50’ lines with one eyelet on each. The premade eyelets I use for the forward cleats. They work great for me every season. I just have to remember how many times I wrap the piling and I put marks on the line so I know when/where to start to wrap them. The eyelets that I put on the lines line up every time on the aft cleats.

LaRea

No tide?  You are lucky and spoiled.  Premade lines sound like a solid idea, which means we've offered you zero answers to your question.  

Liberty44140

Tony, go to Sobstad Sailmakers in Rocky River. Ask for Richard. They can splice nylon dock lines. 

tonystoy

Thanks for all of your replies 
@Liberty44140 that is perfect! They are 15 minutes from my house. I will contact them tomorrow.