www.iFourWinns.com

WM docklines sale is back. I'm thinking of picking up some new lines for the soon to be new 268/278. On my 225 Sundowner, I had four 15' lines. Would that suffice for a 268, or should I get 2 15', and 2 25'?

I'm also thinking a boat pole. We had one on our old boat, but it broke. We didn't use it to much. I could see where it would come in handy with the bigger boat, docking and rafting up.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I use 5 lines at the marina we are at most of the time, 2- 15' 2- 25' and 1-35'

this is how it looks. I dont use any fenders

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

For the 288 I bought 4 20 foot ropes. It works out well to at least have a few long ropes. I also bought a great collapsible pole. It cam with a lifetime warranty on the hook. I don't remember the name of it. I love it because it can be placed close by if need, but it doesn't take up allot of space.

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2001 Sundowner 235

You can not have too many dock lines! If they are on sale, get some. But they got to be the right color to match the boat!!

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Had/have 2 15' and 2 25' on our 25' cruiser. That seemed to work well for me for most occasions. We trailered our cruiser and and frequented marinas in Lake Erie. Over the years I picked up some cheap ones from Wal Mart to have around as extras. I left those when I traded in the boat

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2008 Horizon 260 VP 8.1 Gi

Everyone will have a favorite variance on dock lines. It also depends on how you use the boat. Is it slipped all the time? If so, do you have dock cleats or pilings on both sides or just one side? If kept on a trailer, you will typically be temporarily tying up to docks, but may be doing longer term if overnight cruising ... you may be in a single side slip or a dual side slip ... etc ... etc ....

Here's my set-up:

4 - 1/2" x 25' lines, one at each corner. While 3/8" is technically OK for a 26/28' boat (according to the charts), I prefer the added safety and ease of handling with the 1/2" lines (last year, while overnighting at a dock, in a VERY heavy blow, we had 6-lines and all of the fenders out .... and still chafed almost through one of the bow lines). With 4 lines always in-service, you don't have to scramble around moving lines from one side to the other, depending on which side is going to be to the dock. The 25' length is (to me) minimum. This helps with being able to guide the boat off the trailer to the dock (if not driving off) and gives you more line to toss to a crew person on the dock AND .. allows you to set-up spring lines.

I Also have two more 25' lines that are kept on-board for use as extra spring lines.

I have 3 large fenders (10" I think, but could be 8") and 2 smaller ones that came with the boat. I would have 4 of the large ones, but storage is an issue. YOU NEED the larger 8" or 10" (biggest that you are willing to store and keep track of) to properly protect the boat when tied up on just one side. The little 6" ones do almost nothing on a boat of this size. Plus, if you are at a dock with large pilings that are between the dock and the boat .... you need the large fenders.

Finally, keep a lot of extra lines on board. These can be the cheaper three-strand docking lines or lengths of anchor rode. Ya never know when you'll need em ...... towing, odd tie-up situations .. etc. Have some smaller line, like 3/8" available as well as 1/2".

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Get the pole! We use ours more than I thought we would... especially the admiral!

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

Dock Lines...

We keep a full set of 4 permanently mounted at the slip... I keep 2 15's and 2 25's on hand for normal tie ups (usually, no more than 15's are needed to tie the stern).

We also keep 2 35's on hand for going through the small locks here in Seattle. And then, we have 2 50 footers for the days when we tie to the wall in the large locks.

6 fenders on board at all times. The lines are all 1/2''.

You would be fine with 3/8's lines - but I would recommend going 1/2'' if you ever find yourself tying up in rough weather. For trailerboating and fair weather - 3/8's would be fine.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I should have mentioned, boat will be trailered, at least for now. I'm leaning towards 2 15's, and 2 25's. I haven't needed that long a line yet, but it will be different with the bigger boat. Would I be able to tie up fenders on the same cleat as a 1/2" line?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Fire, if you're not permanently in a wet slip then 3/8 inch lines from the marine isle at Walmart are sufficient and usually half the price of WM's even when on sale.

If you ever do put her in a wet slip then invest in the mega-braid (not the 3-strand-braided) lines and 3/8's will still be fine and 1/2-inch will be awesome. It really depends on a lot: Floating dock vs. standard dock, typical wind and current conditions at your marina, etc.

I keep mine at a very sheltered floating dock (used to be a rock-quarry) year-round and use the economy nylon 3 braid pre-spliced 15' lines from Walmart. I wished I would have purchased the next quality-tier up, the premium braided. If I was less sheltered and right on the lake I'd probably go to 1/2" just to make myself feel better.

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Vic
"Byte Me"
1989 Vista 245
Lake Norman, NC

Oh and didn't see your other sentence.....

For your fenders you can go smaller that way you can keep a fender and a dock line on the same cleat. My Mid starboard and port cleats both have bumpers and my spring lines.

Mixing it up is fine like you said with 2 15's and 2 25's.

I don't want to assume, but in most states it's a law (or good anyways for safety) that you need a sufficient anchor and line (preferably with 10' of chain). If you ever break down on a windy day you'll be happy you own one.

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Vic
"Byte Me"
1989 Vista 245
Lake Norman, NC

for your situation, a good quality 3/8 line will do you just fine. Spend the money you will save on a good quality boat hook pole.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I use a telescoping boat hook from WM that goes from 38 in to 8 ft. This fits right behind the helm seat on the 278 with the hook down and you don't even know it's there. I also use it more than I thought. I back into my slip and now that I back over a lift I prefer to go to neutral just as the stern goes into the dock. The admiral can grab the side of the slip with the hook and guide the boat in from there.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

I store a pole on the foredeck, attached to the lower rail using these:

This makes it a lot easier for the admiral to get to a pole should the situation require it. Without having to risk leaving a pole lying on the deck. It's almost more trouble than it's worth trying to have a pole handy when it's not fitted in some sort of clips. What with worrying about tripping over it or knocking it overboard. The clips on the rail have made it a lot easier.

They've been up there for 3 seasons and the plastic and foam in them is still in decent shape. The clips have held the pole securely through all sorts of sea conditions. But this is a beefier version of a boat hook pole than the slimmer ones that are always on sale at WM. I think it was made by Garelick.

The holders come in different sizes, for different pole diameters. Just be sure to get the right size for the pole you intend to store.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Ugh, I despise Walmart. Was it not enough for them to destroy small town retailing? Then the destroyed the manufacturing in those same towns by demanding wholesale pricing that can only be reached using chinese slave labor. I'm utterly appalled at how many people fail to grasp this disaster. Instead they chase the price to the bottom of the barrel, destroying their own jobs in the process. Shockingly pathetic.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista