Mooring Ropes – The Ultimate FAQ Guide

13 May.,2024

 

Mooring Ropes – The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Using mooring rope, boats may be fastened to mooring buoys, piers, and jetties to prevent them from drifting away.

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

The rope is often attached to deck fittings on the boat and fixed rings, bollards, cleats, or any other immovable object on land to prevent the boat from drifting away from the shoreline.

1. What Are Mooring Ropes?

Figure 1: Mooring Ropes

The ropes or chains that are used in the process of mooring a boat are referred to as mooring ropes. The main objective of a mooring rope is to enable a boat to be secured to a stationary object while also withstanding the effects of water movement, such as waves, currents, and winds.

To ensure that mooring procedures are carried out without incident for the crew and in accordance with international regulations, it is essential to choose a set of ropes with the tensile strength necessary to withstand such stresses.

There are primarily three different types of mooring lines. Chain, wire, synthetic fiber, or any mix of the three may be used in the production of mooring lines.

2. What Is Mooring Rope Used For?

Figure 2: Use of Mooring Ropes

Mooring lines may come in a variety of forms, the most popular of which are wire ropes, chain, and synthetic fiber ropes.

They are very dependable due to their construction, which allows them to endure the weight of the largest ships.

Mooring is one of the most dangerous aspects of both maritime and port operations due to the potentially disastrous outcomes that may arise from even the smallest of errors.

If a rope breaks while it is under strain, it might move across a ship at rates of up to 750 kilometers per hour, inflicting devastating damage to whatever it comes into contact with.

3. What Are The Types Of Mooring Ropes?

Figure 3: Types of Mooring Ropes

  • The rope that is woven with man-made or synthetic fibers

Synthetic fiber rope has the advantages of being lightweight and durable (almost neutrally buoyant).

Because it is possible to stretch this rope to highly long lengths, it is an excellent choice for use in water that is quite deep.

The price of rope that is constructed from synthetic fibers is high.

  • Standard fiber Ropes:

Fiber mooring lines are frequently manufactured from polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, or polyethylene.

There are also ropes available that are a hybrid of a number of these different types of materials.

  • Polyester Ropes:

Polyester has the greatest lifetime compared to other regularly used high-strength materials like steel and aluminum.

The melting point of polyester is relatively high, and its frictional resistance is rather low.

It is impervious to wear from the environment and maintains its strength even after being subjected to repeated stress.

  • Polyamide (Nylon) Ropes:

When it becomes wet, a polyamide rope loses around ten percent of the strength it had when it was dry.

It is the material with the highest degree of elasticity, and it is resistant to high temperatures as well as wear.

  • Polypropylene Ropes:

The elasticity of a rope made of polypropylene is equivalent to that of a rope made of polyester.

Polypropylene has limited resistance to heat and has poor characteristics when subjected to cyclic stress.

  • Ropes Made with Fibers with A High Module Count

These synthetic fibers are very long-lasting when compared to other typical synthetic materials such as polyamide, polyester, and polypropylene.

Its strength is equivalent to that of wire, despite the significant reduction in weight that it has.

  • Aramid Fiber Ropes:

Aramid fibers’ tensile and elongation properties are generally superior to those of other fiber types.

It chars when heated to a temperature high enough rather than melting or becoming softer.

It has a low axial compression strength but a high resilience to fatigue.

  • Ropes Made with Polymer Comprised of Liquid Crystals:

Because of their low stretch, high strength, and excellent resistance to creep and flex fatigue, fibers manufactured from liquid crystal polymers have a very long lifespan.

These properties make them exceptionally durable.

The melting point of the fiber is determined to be 300 degrees Celsius, which places it smack dab in the center of the temperature ranges for HMPE and Aramid. Long-cut filament (LCP) fibers are resistant to wear and tear brought on by abrasion, cutting, and fatigue over long periods of time.

  • HMPE Ropes:

High Modulus Polyethylene fiber has several desired features: a high strength-to-weight ratio and slight elongation.

Other desirable qualities include the following: Even though their melting point is 147 degrees Celsius and their highest continuous working temperature is 65 degrees Celsius, HMPE fibers are not resistant to high temperatures.

This is because their maximum operating temperature is 65 degrees Celsius. HMPE’s low coefficient of friction, good abrasion resistance, and resistance to axial compression are only some of the ways in which it excels as a material.

4. How Long Should a Mooring Rope Be?

A mooring rope’s—or any rope’s—length depends on the boat’s size and its intended purpose. Typically, a yacht will need three mooring lines:

  • Using the bow rope, the bow must be tethered to the deck or dock.
  • A line attached to the boat’s stern rests on the dock.
  • A spring rope is used to lessen the impact of any swells going back and forth between.
  • A spring line has to be at least the whole length of your boat, while the front and stern ropes must span at least 50 percent of that.

You should also have a replacement mooring rope available, preferably one that is four or five times longer than your yacht.

One end of every mooring line and sailboat rope needs an eye splicing.

You can make this on your own with the aid of the instructions.

To that end, the hull’s length will serve as a critical factor in determining the rope’s diameter. Details on the dimensions are provided in the individual product specifications.

However, the spectrum is 10mm for a 26-foot hull to 20mm for a 62-foot length.

5. How Does Mooring Work?

Station maintenance of a ship or movable structure at any water level requires a mooring system consisting of a mooring rope, anchor, and connections.

A mooring line runs from an anchor upon the bottom of the ocean to a ship or other floating object.

A mooring may either be a land-based structure, like a pier, or a water-based one, like an anchor mooring.

There are a number of variables to consider while deciding which kind to utilize, such as weather, water depth, and more.

Mooring lines, anchoring, and connections make up the bulk of this setup.

Mooring lines and adapters are used to secure a watercraft to such a mooring post. In the absence of a suitable on-land anchoring point, it is essential to resort to other methods.

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6. What Size Rope Is Best for Mooring?

Figure 4: Size Guide for Mooring Ropes

Here is a quick guide to finding the right size of mooring rope as per your needs.

Yacht lengthType of material dock lines PolyesterPolypropylene8 m / 26ft10 mm14 mm10 m / 33ft12 mm16 mm12 m / 39ft14 mm18 mm14 m / 46ft16mm20 mm16 m / 53ft18 mm22 mm19 m / 62ft20 mm24 mm

7. What Is the Strongest Mooring Rope?

Nylon is the most robust mooring rope.

There is a widespread misconception that after being completely submerged in water, the strength of nylon diminishes by 10-15%, bringing it on par with polyester.

Polyester accrues a marginal seasonal advantage due to its superiority in UV protection compared to nylon, which extends the usable life of polyester and makes it more marketable.

6. What to Consider While Choosing Mooring Rope?

Figure 5: Mooring Rope

Here are the key factors to consider while choosing a suitable mooring rope:

  • Stretch Factor:

Lines used for mooring boats must be able to stretch and recover from elongation under grab weights without breaking.

Polyester has sufficient working stretch for mooring, and mooring compensators could increase the material’s ability to absorb surge pressures.

Polypropylene is somewhat more malleable than polyester.

When compared to polyester and cotton, nylon has the highest elongation (by around 5-10%).

  • Strength and Durability:

Ropes used to moor boats must be sturdy enough to securely hold the weight of a yacht using the specified number of ropes (the number of ropes that effectively split the weight).

Some claim that after being completely submerged in water, nylon loses its strength by 10-15%, making it as strong as polyester.

Polyester’s higher UV protection in comparison to nylons provides a slight seasonal advantage, increasing the fabric’s service life.

Polypropylene is only a practical replacement for any of the other two choices if the diameter is drastically altered.

  • Abrasion Resistance:  

Rope durability depends on its constituent parts, production method, and, to a lesser extent, its ultimate shape.

When compared to Polyester and Nylon, Polypropylene performs about as severely.

Heat setting technology and special twisting techniques on the foundational filaments and yarns are responsible for the increased wear resistance of LIROS.

Mooring Rope and Lines | Buy Today From ...

We keep up to date with the latest developments in this field and will always try to make sure we’re providing the best equipment possible. Our mooring ropes and lines are all safety assured and ship with certification. If you would like a custom length or a factory fresh reel then get in touch today.

All our ropes come with free delivery in the UK, so please contact us to discuss your requirements.

What is a mooring rope?

A mooring rope is classified as a type of marine rope, and as such, it has the properties necessary to maintain its effectiveness when in water. Marine-grade rope is constructed from nylon, polyester or Dyneema (or equivalent UHMWPE) fibres or a combination of these. Many of these ropes are constructed to have high levels of UV resistance, are water resistant and some are built with solid cores so they can be made in a smaller diameter while retaining high tensile strength.

Mooring rope is used to attach fittings on a vessel to fittings on a pier or harbour. There are three main types of mooring lines; chain mooring lines, wire mooring lines and synthetic fibre ropes. They are designed to be incredibly durable and strong to keep even the heaviest of vessels securely in place.

The chain mooring line is the most common type in shallow water. It has low elasticity and highbreaking strength which makes it appropriate for long-term mooring. Due to its heaviness and high vertical load, it is not used in deep water operations.

Wire mooring line has a higher elasticity and is considerably lighter than a chain version, which is why a steel wire mooring system is preferred in deep water. The most common constructions for wire rope are six strand and the multiple strand rope.

Synthetic fibre ropes are very lightweight, highly extensible and can be used in both deep or shallow waters. It is now the more preferred choice for mooring ropes thanks to its versatilty, elongation characteristics and high-strength.

Mooring is potentially one of the most dangerous aspects of marine and port operations, as even the smallest error can cause irreparable damage. If a rope was to snap while under pressure it could whip across a ship with a speed of approximately 500mph, destroying anything that it comes into contact with.

Over previous years, the construction of synthetic mooring rope has advanced to minimize breakage, and also reduce the damage caused if a rope was to snap. The use of thick Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene ropes (UHMWPE) has been one of the most significant developments in this area.

Most mooring ropes found on vessels are now made of polyamide (nylon), polyurethane, polyester or UHMWPE. Some ropes are made of a combinations of these fibres.

Mooring ropes have a typical life span of 5 years, but should be replaced sooner than this is there is any sign of damage. To preserve their life, they should be kept out of direct sunlight or adverse weather conditions and not left in salt-water for long periods of time.

What is the best mooring rope?

All ropes for boats or marine operations need to conform to the relevant safety certifications and there are different materials available that can all be used as marine rope.

Nylon (polyamide) rope is ideal for pulling heavy loads and for weight-bearing. It is strong and has considerable elongation characteristics and has good temperature and abrasion resistance, which is why it is used in mooring and marine operations. Polyamide rope loses just ten percent of its tensile strength when wet.

Polyester rope is one of the most heavy-duty options and is popular in rigging and marine operations. It retains strength when wet thanks to its cyclic loading and is resistant to chemicals. Polyester has a low co-efficient of friction and a high melting point. It has good abrasion resistance. Many marine rope products now have a polyester core, even if other materials are used in the exterior.

UHMWPE is an abbreviation for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. These ropes are used as high-performance lines across a variety of industries, and has many qualities that make it an excellent choice for wet environments; it is light enough to float, is hydrophobic (repels water) and stays tough at low temperatures. This fibre has a high strength per weight ratio and low stretch characteristics. HMPE fibres have a low coefficient of friction and very good fatigue and abrasion properties but limited temperature resistance. Its maximum continuous working temperature of 65°C.

The best mooring lines must be lightweight yet robust and flexible yet resistant to chemicals, abrasions and harsh weather conditions.

What are the types of mooring lines?

Dockline mooring rope has been developed with impressive strength, high abrasion resistance and easy handling properties. Such lines have good elongation properties and are ideal for anchoring, as well as mooring and docking.

Southern Ropes Dockline is a double braid with a nylon core with a polyester cover, making it highly durable with the appropriate stretch and energy absorption for mooring purposes. A 24mm diameter Dockline rope gives a break load of 14,300kg and a 36mm diameter cut has a 32,300kg break load.

The three-strand multipurpose polyester rope from Southern Ropes is an example of a general purpose line that remains soft and easy to handle when wet. It is easy to splice, has high abrasion-resistance properties and its strength is not affected by water. Made from polyester and available in three colours, this conforms to British and European Standardization (BS EB 697;1997). A 36mm diameter with this rope has a break load of 25,700kg.

Another option for a mooring line is a general-purpose rope made with nylon. The Nylon Rope is one that shrinks and hardens when in water, is highly resistant and conforms to BS EN 943:2002 requirements. It can be used as a mooring line but is a good multi-purpose option that can function as a towing, fishing and anchor line. This type of rope comes in customizable colours and all three types of mooring lines can be custom cut to your preferred diameter and length.

If you have particularly large vessels to moor, then the UHMWPE STEALTH High Strength rope is another type of line that can be used for mooring. UHMWPE is a safer alternative to wire boat rope and is better value for money, especially when used in high-quantities as is needed in mooring. It is an extremely high-strength, lightweight, heat-treated rope. With a high abrasion resistance and low stretching ability, our 12 strand Stealth Fibre® UHMWPE is appropriate for many industrial operations.

With its high strength to weight ratio, low stretch and easy handling properties, UHMWPE ropes are increasingly replacing steel and conventional fibers. They are significantly stronger than steel yet only 1/8th of the weight of comparable steel wires. In other words, they are at least 8 times stronger than steel wire ropes.

UHMWPE lines are thinner, lighter and self-lubricating, so significantly easier to handle than conventional steel ropes. In addition to their strength, they are also much safer, with less recoil force than steel rope. When a steel mooring line breaks, it unravels quickly, whipping around with dangerous force and sharp edges.

When a UHMWPE rope breaks, the recoil is much less. Because it is constructed of long chains of polyethene that are all aligned in the same direction, if they break  it will display a linear, predictable recoil and will be more likely to drop to the ground, rather than whip around.

The self-lubricating fibers tend to have a waxy handle and smooth surface, making them easy to handle, although this means it does not hold knots particularly well. Yet despite their smoothness, they are still more than 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel.

Our UHMWPE rope exceeds ISO 10325 standards, is competitively priced and comes with free delivery in the UK, so contact us today with your needs.

How long should a mooring rope be?

The length of a mooring rope, or any rope for boats will depend on how you intend to use it, and the size of your vessel.

Generally speaking, you need three mooring lines for a boat:

  • Bow line – to secure the bow to the deck or pier
  • Stern line – to secure the stern to the dock
  • Spring line – to help minimize any surges back and forth

Your bow and stern lines will need to be at least half of the length of the boat, whereas a spring line will need to be at least as long as the full length of your boat.

We also recommend that you keep a spare mooring line to hand, ideally 4 or 5 times longer than the boat. All mooring lines and boat ropes should have an eye splice in one end. Guides are available to help you create this yourself, or we can provide splicing for you as required.

The diameter of the rope will also be important, and the adequate diameter will be determined by the length of the hull. A breakdown of the sizes can be found in the full product descriptions, but the range goes from 10mm for a 26ft hull to 20mm for a 62ft length.

Our range of high-quality mooring products are designed to secure the vessel to any semi-permanent or permanent structure, and they come in a range of diameters, lengths and colours. Our highly knowledgeable team will help you find the best ropes for your needs.

Mooring Ropes – The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Using mooring rope, boats may be fastened to mooring buoys, piers, and jetties to prevent them from drifting away.

The rope is often attached to deck fittings on the boat and fixed rings, bollards, cleats, or any other immovable object on land to prevent the boat from drifting away from the shoreline.

1. What Are Mooring Ropes?

Figure 1: Mooring Ropes

The ropes or chains that are used in the process of mooring a boat are referred to as mooring ropes. The main objective of a mooring rope is to enable a boat to be secured to a stationary object while also withstanding the effects of water movement, such as waves, currents, and winds.

To ensure that mooring procedures are carried out without incident for the crew and in accordance with international regulations, it is essential to choose a set of ropes with the tensile strength necessary to withstand such stresses.

There are primarily three different types of mooring lines. Chain, wire, synthetic fiber, or any mix of the three may be used in the production of mooring lines.

2. What Is Mooring Rope Used For?

Figure 2: Use of Mooring Ropes

Mooring lines may come in a variety of forms, the most popular of which are wire ropes, chain, and synthetic fiber ropes.

They are very dependable due to their construction, which allows them to endure the weight of the largest ships.

Mooring is one of the most dangerous aspects of both maritime and port operations due to the potentially disastrous outcomes that may arise from even the smallest of errors.

If a rope breaks while it is under strain, it might move across a ship at rates of up to 750 kilometers per hour, inflicting devastating damage to whatever it comes into contact with.

3. What Are The Types Of Mooring Ropes?

Figure 3: Types of Mooring Ropes

  • The rope that is woven with man-made or synthetic fibers

Synthetic fiber rope has the advantages of being lightweight and durable (almost neutrally buoyant).

Because it is possible to stretch this rope to highly long lengths, it is an excellent choice for use in water that is quite deep.

The price of rope that is constructed from synthetic fibers is high.

  • Standard fiber Ropes:

Fiber mooring lines are frequently manufactured from polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, or polyethylene.

There are also ropes available that are a hybrid of a number of these different types of materials.

  • Polyester Ropes:

Polyester has the greatest lifetime compared to other regularly used high-strength materials like steel and aluminum.

The melting point of polyester is relatively high, and its frictional resistance is rather low.

It is impervious to wear from the environment and maintains its strength even after being subjected to repeated stress.

  • Polyamide (Nylon) Ropes:

When it becomes wet, a polyamide rope loses around ten percent of the strength it had when it was dry.

It is the material with the highest degree of elasticity, and it is resistant to high temperatures as well as wear.

  • Polypropylene Ropes:

The elasticity of a rope made of polypropylene is equivalent to that of a rope made of polyester.

Polypropylene has limited resistance to heat and has poor characteristics when subjected to cyclic stress.

  • Ropes Made with Fibers with A High Module Count

These synthetic fibers are very long-lasting when compared to other typical synthetic materials such as polyamide, polyester, and polypropylene.

Its strength is equivalent to that of wire, despite the significant reduction in weight that it has.

  • Aramid Fiber Ropes:

Aramid fibers’ tensile and elongation properties are generally superior to those of other fiber types.

It chars when heated to a temperature high enough rather than melting or becoming softer.

It has a low axial compression strength but a high resilience to fatigue.

  • Ropes Made with Polymer Comprised of Liquid Crystals:

Because of their low stretch, high strength, and excellent resistance to creep and flex fatigue, fibers manufactured from liquid crystal polymers have a very long lifespan.

These properties make them exceptionally durable.

The melting point of the fiber is determined to be 300 degrees Celsius, which places it smack dab in the center of the temperature ranges for HMPE and Aramid. Long-cut filament (LCP) fibers are resistant to wear and tear brought on by abrasion, cutting, and fatigue over long periods of time.

  • HMPE Ropes:

High Modulus Polyethylene fiber has several desired features: a high strength-to-weight ratio and slight elongation.

Other desirable qualities include the following: Even though their melting point is 147 degrees Celsius and their highest continuous working temperature is 65 degrees Celsius, HMPE fibers are not resistant to high temperatures.

This is because their maximum operating temperature is 65 degrees Celsius. HMPE’s low coefficient of friction, good abrasion resistance, and resistance to axial compression are only some of the ways in which it excels as a material.

4. How Long Should a Mooring Rope Be?

A mooring rope’s—or any rope’s—length depends on the boat’s size and its intended purpose. Typically, a yacht will need three mooring lines:

  • Using the bow rope, the bow must be tethered to the deck or dock.
  • A line attached to the boat’s stern rests on the dock.
  • A spring rope is used to lessen the impact of any swells going back and forth between.
  • A spring line has to be at least the whole length of your boat, while the front and stern ropes must span at least 50 percent of that.

You should also have a replacement mooring rope available, preferably one that is four or five times longer than your yacht.

One end of every mooring line and sailboat rope needs an eye splicing.

You can make this on your own with the aid of the instructions.

To that end, the hull’s length will serve as a critical factor in determining the rope’s diameter. Details on the dimensions are provided in the individual product specifications.

However, the spectrum is 10mm for a 26-foot hull to 20mm for a 62-foot length.

5. How Does Mooring Work?

Station maintenance of a ship or movable structure at any water level requires a mooring system consisting of a mooring rope, anchor, and connections.

A mooring line runs from an anchor upon the bottom of the ocean to a ship or other floating object.

A mooring may either be a land-based structure, like a pier, or a water-based one, like an anchor mooring.

There are a number of variables to consider while deciding which kind to utilize, such as weather, water depth, and more.

Mooring lines, anchoring, and connections make up the bulk of this setup.

Mooring lines and adapters are used to secure a watercraft to such a mooring post. In the absence of a suitable on-land anchoring point, it is essential to resort to other methods.

6. What Size Rope Is Best for Mooring?

Figure 4: Size Guide for Mooring Ropes

Here is a quick guide to finding the right size of mooring rope as per your needs.

Yacht lengthType of material dock lines PolyesterPolypropylene8 m / 26ft10 mm14 mm10 m / 33ft12 mm16 mm12 m / 39ft14 mm18 mm14 m / 46ft16mm20 mm16 m / 53ft18 mm22 mm19 m / 62ft20 mm24 mm

7. What Is the Strongest Mooring Rope?

Nylon is the most robust mooring rope.

There is a widespread misconception that after being completely submerged in water, the strength of nylon diminishes by 10-15%, bringing it on par with polyester.

Polyester accrues a marginal seasonal advantage due to its superiority in UV protection compared to nylon, which extends the usable life of polyester and makes it more marketable.

6. What to Consider While Choosing Mooring Rope?

Figure 5: Mooring Rope

Here are the key factors to consider while choosing a suitable mooring rope:

  • Stretch Factor:

Lines used for mooring boats must be able to stretch and recover from elongation under grab weights without breaking.

Polyester has sufficient working stretch for mooring, and mooring compensators could increase the material’s ability to absorb surge pressures.

Polypropylene is somewhat more malleable than polyester.

When compared to polyester and cotton, nylon has the highest elongation (by around 5-10%).

  • Strength and Durability:

Ropes used to moor boats must be sturdy enough to securely hold the weight of a yacht using the specified number of ropes (the number of ropes that effectively split the weight).

Some claim that after being completely submerged in water, nylon loses its strength by 10-15%, making it as strong as polyester.

Polyester’s higher UV protection in comparison to nylons provides a slight seasonal advantage, increasing the fabric’s service life.

Polypropylene is only a practical replacement for any of the other two choices if the diameter is drastically altered.

  • Abrasion Resistance:  

Rope durability depends on its constituent parts, production method, and, to a lesser extent, its ultimate shape.

When compared to Polyester and Nylon, Polypropylene performs about as severely.

Heat setting technology and special twisting techniques on the foundational filaments and yarns are responsible for the increased wear resistance of LIROS.

Mooring Rope and Lines | Buy Today From ...

We keep up to date with the latest developments in this field and will always try to make sure we’re providing the best equipment possible. Our mooring ropes and lines are all safety assured and ship with certification. If you would like a custom length or a factory fresh reel then get in touch today.

All our ropes come with free delivery in the UK, so please contact us to discuss your requirements.

What is a mooring rope?

A mooring rope is classified as a type of marine rope, and as such, it has the properties necessary to maintain its effectiveness when in water. Marine-grade rope is constructed from nylon, polyester or Dyneema (or equivalent UHMWPE) fibres or a combination of these. Many of these ropes are constructed to have high levels of UV resistance, are water resistant and some are built with solid cores so they can be made in a smaller diameter while retaining high tensile strength.

Mooring rope is used to attach fittings on a vessel to fittings on a pier or harbour. There are three main types of mooring lines; chain mooring lines, wire mooring lines and synthetic fibre ropes. They are designed to be incredibly durable and strong to keep even the heaviest of vessels securely in place.

The chain mooring line is the most common type in shallow water. It has low elasticity and highbreaking strength which makes it appropriate for long-term mooring. Due to its heaviness and high vertical load, it is not used in deep water operations.

Wire mooring line has a higher elasticity and is considerably lighter than a chain version, which is why a steel wire mooring system is preferred in deep water. The most common constructions for wire rope are six strand and the multiple strand rope.

Synthetic fibre ropes are very lightweight, highly extensible and can be used in both deep or shallow waters. It is now the more preferred choice for mooring ropes thanks to its versatilty, elongation characteristics and high-strength.

Mooring is potentially one of the most dangerous aspects of marine and port operations, as even the smallest error can cause irreparable damage. If a rope was to snap while under pressure it could whip across a ship with a speed of approximately 500mph, destroying anything that it comes into contact with.

Over previous years, the construction of synthetic mooring rope has advanced to minimize breakage, and also reduce the damage caused if a rope was to snap. The use of thick Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene ropes (UHMWPE) has been one of the most significant developments in this area.

Most mooring ropes found on vessels are now made of polyamide (nylon), polyurethane, polyester or UHMWPE. Some ropes are made of a combinations of these fibres.

Mooring ropes have a typical life span of 5 years, but should be replaced sooner than this is there is any sign of damage. To preserve their life, they should be kept out of direct sunlight or adverse weather conditions and not left in salt-water for long periods of time.

What is the best mooring rope?

All ropes for boats or marine operations need to conform to the relevant safety certifications and there are different materials available that can all be used as marine rope.

Nylon (polyamide) rope is ideal for pulling heavy loads and for weight-bearing. It is strong and has considerable elongation characteristics and has good temperature and abrasion resistance, which is why it is used in mooring and marine operations. Polyamide rope loses just ten percent of its tensile strength when wet.

Polyester rope is one of the most heavy-duty options and is popular in rigging and marine operations. It retains strength when wet thanks to its cyclic loading and is resistant to chemicals. Polyester has a low co-efficient of friction and a high melting point. It has good abrasion resistance. Many marine rope products now have a polyester core, even if other materials are used in the exterior.

UHMWPE is an abbreviation for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. These ropes are used as high-performance lines across a variety of industries, and has many qualities that make it an excellent choice for wet environments; it is light enough to float, is hydrophobic (repels water) and stays tough at low temperatures. This fibre has a high strength per weight ratio and low stretch characteristics. HMPE fibres have a low coefficient of friction and very good fatigue and abrasion properties but limited temperature resistance. Its maximum continuous working temperature of 65°C.

The best mooring lines must be lightweight yet robust and flexible yet resistant to chemicals, abrasions and harsh weather conditions.

What are the types of mooring lines?

Dockline mooring rope has been developed with impressive strength, high abrasion resistance and easy handling properties. Such lines have good elongation properties and are ideal for anchoring, as well as mooring and docking.

Southern Ropes Dockline is a double braid with a nylon core with a polyester cover, making it highly durable with the appropriate stretch and energy absorption for mooring purposes. A 24mm diameter Dockline rope gives a break load of 14,300kg and a 36mm diameter cut has a 32,300kg break load.

The three-strand multipurpose polyester rope from Southern Ropes is an example of a general purpose line that remains soft and easy to handle when wet. It is easy to splice, has high abrasion-resistance properties and its strength is not affected by water. Made from polyester and available in three colours, this conforms to British and European Standardization (BS EB 697;1997). A 36mm diameter with this rope has a break load of 25,700kg.

Another option for a mooring line is a general-purpose rope made with nylon. The Nylon Rope is one that shrinks and hardens when in water, is highly resistant and conforms to BS EN 943:2002 requirements. It can be used as a mooring line but is a good multi-purpose option that can function as a towing, fishing and anchor line. This type of rope comes in customizable colours and all three types of mooring lines can be custom cut to your preferred diameter and length.

If you have particularly large vessels to moor, then the UHMWPE STEALTH High Strength rope is another type of line that can be used for mooring. UHMWPE is a safer alternative to wire boat rope and is better value for money, especially when used in high-quantities as is needed in mooring. It is an extremely high-strength, lightweight, heat-treated rope. With a high abrasion resistance and low stretching ability, our 12 strand Stealth Fibre® UHMWPE is appropriate for many industrial operations.

With its high strength to weight ratio, low stretch and easy handling properties, UHMWPE ropes are increasingly replacing steel and conventional fibers. They are significantly stronger than steel yet only 1/8th of the weight of comparable steel wires. In other words, they are at least 8 times stronger than steel wire ropes.

UHMWPE lines are thinner, lighter and self-lubricating, so significantly easier to handle than conventional steel ropes. In addition to their strength, they are also much safer, with less recoil force than steel rope. When a steel mooring line breaks, it unravels quickly, whipping around with dangerous force and sharp edges.

When a UHMWPE rope breaks, the recoil is much less. Because it is constructed of long chains of polyethene that are all aligned in the same direction, if they break  it will display a linear, predictable recoil and will be more likely to drop to the ground, rather than whip around.

The self-lubricating fibers tend to have a waxy handle and smooth surface, making them easy to handle, although this means it does not hold knots particularly well. Yet despite their smoothness, they are still more than 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel.

Our UHMWPE rope exceeds ISO 10325 standards, is competitively priced and comes with free delivery in the UK, so contact us today with your needs.

How long should a mooring rope be?

The length of a mooring rope, or any rope for boats will depend on how you intend to use it, and the size of your vessel.

Generally speaking, you need three mooring lines for a boat:

  • Bow line – to secure the bow to the deck or pier
  • Stern line – to secure the stern to the dock
  • Spring line – to help minimize any surges back and forth

Your bow and stern lines will need to be at least half of the length of the boat, whereas a spring line will need to be at least as long as the full length of your boat.

We also recommend that you keep a spare mooring line to hand, ideally 4 or 5 times longer than the boat. All mooring lines and boat ropes should have an eye splice in one end. Guides are available to help you create this yourself, or we can provide splicing for you as required.

The diameter of the rope will also be important, and the adequate diameter will be determined by the length of the hull. A breakdown of the sizes can be found in the full product descriptions, but the range goes from 10mm for a 26ft hull to 20mm for a 62ft length.

Our range of high-quality mooring productsmooring products are designed to secure the vessel to any semi-permanent or permanent structure, and they come in a range of diameters, lengths and colours. Our highly knowledgeable team will help you find the best ropes for your needs.