5 Best Dock Lines for 2024

5 Best Dock Lines for 2024

When not in use, your boat or any of your water vessels just stays at the dock. Like caring for the most valuable items in your life – your investments – such as your smartphone, you also have to take good care of your boat. 

As its responsible boat owner, you must see to it that your vessel stays in place while at the dock and will not go astray. Some tend to use heavy chains, but you know they’re incapable of expanding or stretching. They negatively impact the boat and the cleats of the dock. 

Hence, what you need is something stretchable and better than heavy chains. The solution – a dock line. However, as you search the market for the ideal dock line, you will find plenty of sellers offering what they claim as “the best.” So, in this post, you will get to know five of the best dock lines today, helping you during your shopping. But first, let’s review the basics.

What Is a Dock Line and Why Do You Need One?

Dock lines are also known as docking or mooring lines. They provide a very important connection for your boats. That is, when landing. 

A dock line is what keeps your boat stay in place at the dock. To do this purpose right, it has to be strong and elastic. It must be elastic as it needs to absorb shock loads. The right dock line should also be resistant to abrasion, ultraviolet rays, and rot. 

Why do you need dock lines? Well, a dock line will keep your boat from floating away from the dock. It will also help keep the boat in place so it does not bump into other boats or the dock itself. 

Dock lines are also used to tie boats to other boats or to the dock. Furthermore, you may also use these equipment as tow lines if boats need to be pulled. 

This time, let’s find out some of today’s best dock lines.

5 of the Best Dock Lines on Today’s Market

From the best of the best to the most recommended for boats 40 feet and above, here are five of the best dock lines you can find. 

1. Best Overall: WindRider Dock Lines for Boats

On top of this list of the best dock lines is that from WindRider, one of the world’s leading outdoor lifestyle brands. 

WindRider’s dock lines are capable of supporting various sizes of vessels, specifically small- and medium-sized vessels. 

They are very durable, ensuring you get maximum utility even in the toughest conditions on saltwater, and for a longer period of time. This boat rope is made of high tensile strength and robust marine-grade nylon with double-braided construction. You will never regret it should you choose WindRider for your dock line. 

What’s more, you get a marine rope pack of four lines in one purchase, making sure you never run out of dock lines in the most unexpected and unpredictable circumstances.

2. Best Bungee Dock Line: AIRHEAD Dockline for Watercraft

While most prefer nylon dock lines, such as the first item on this list, others might need a bungee dock line that can absorb shock to boats, docks, cleats, pylons, and other hardware. In this category, probably the best would be the bungee dock line from a brand called AIRHEAD.

Inside this AIRHEAD bungee dock line is the bungee cord, working together as the latter acts as a snubber built-in. This type of dock line also features two foam floats that protect the boat from chafing. This way, your boat stays with you for a longer time. Plus, you can use the sliding adjustments at both of this dock line’s ends for quicker and more efficient docking. 

Stretching to around five and a half feet, this bungee dock line is recommended for docking boats and personal watercrafts up to 3,500 pounds.  

3. Best Long: ACY Marine Double Braided Nylon Anchor Line

Not every dock line out there can serve you and your boats in the same way. Sometimes, you need particular types of dock lines, such as the long ones. 

Dock lines need to be long enough to reach the boat from the dock and still have sufficient slack to allow for movement caused by tides, winds, and waves. Today’s best long dock line is that of ACY Marine. 

You’ll love this dock line as it is designed to withstand exposure to sunlight and UV radiation. Excessive exposure to the sun’s rays causes your boat’s components and surfaces to deteriorate over time. You don’t want this to happen. 

Moreover, it is also engineered to better withstand tension. It also features a generous 12-inch spliced eye for hassle-free docking. 

4. Best Single Replacement Line: SEACHOICE Double-Braid Nylon Dock Line

Meanwhile, when you need to single replacement line, the best choice out there would be this double-braid nylon dock line by SEACHOICE. 

This premium double-braid dock line is complete with a 15-inch eye splice. It is also pre-shrunk and heat-stabilized.

These lines can provide higher wet strength and better abrasion resistance than other lines made of nylon. Furthermore, they also won’t mold or mildew, so you can have them with you for the long term. 

Aside from the various colors available, you can also choose the size that’s right for your boat. 

5. Best Dock Line for Boats of 40 Feet and Above: J-FM TWNTHSD Dock Lines

Dock lines are also commensurate with the size of the boat. If you own a boat 40 feet and above, some of the choices on this list may not be ideal for you. For this particular need, take a look at the dock lines from the J-FM TWNTHSD brand.

Each purchase of this product gives you two ¾- by 30-inch dock lines for boats pre-spliced with an 18-inch eye for creating quick and easy knots and loops. 

It is crafted with premium double-braided nylon material that guarantees higher tensile strength and superior resistance against abrasion.

This dock line’s eye-splice joint and bitter end are durable and can be used for a long time as they are professionally whipped and heat-sealed. It also features a 24-strand double-braided construction to help deter breakage and make it more resilient. 

You’ve learned about five of the best dock lines you can find around. But how do you choose the best? Read on to find out.

Dock Lines 101: Tips for Choosing the Right Dock Lines for Your Boat

Those are the best among the rest. The next step is shopping for your dock line. How do you choose the right one? Take heed of the following tips that will help you choose the right dock lines for your boat.

• It is recommended to use a nylon rope for docking and mooring lines. The stretch characteristics of this material absorb shock and resist damaging cleats on your boat and dock. 
• Choose dock lines that can give proper protection against chafing. 
• Some want lines that match their canvas work or trim color. There are several dock lines around offered with various color choices. 
• It is also recommended to have dock lines ⅛ inches of line diameter for every nine inches of boat length. Larger lines stretch less and will last you longer.
• Transient dock lines, or those with spliced eyes, must be around ⅔ of the length of the boat when used on the bow and stern. 

Conclusion

The dock line you have right now may work perfectly with your boat, but not when you have other types of boats with you. The discussion above should have helped you choose a dock line based on your specific need, such as those for boats 40 feet and above, and those for single replacement. 

By investing in a high-quality dock line, you can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that your boat is protected well against the most unpredictable forces of nature and possible damage at the dock.