<?xml version="1.0"?> <img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/06/1383462.jpg"><h2>How to pick your mooring lines</h2><strong>Mooring lines</strong><br><br>Yachties, especially the racing types, might get a bit excited by cordage, but for us motorboaters that are limited to hopping about with a few mooring lines, it can be a bit of a dull subject. On the other hand, given the responsibility bestowed on them it's essential that they are up to the job.<br><br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/06/Ropes_copy.jpg"><h2>How to pick your mooring lines </h2>They might all be ropes, but different materials have different properties. <br><br><strong>Nylon</strong> is strong and soft and can stretch by up to 20 per cent of its original length. <strong><br>Polyester</strong> does not quite have the same elasticity, but it is extremely durable and weather resistant. It is often found 'pre-stretched', which is used for sailboat rigging, but that is best avoided for warps.<br><strong>Polypropylene</strong> is cheaper than nylon or polyester, but is more susceptible to UV degradation. It is buoyant, whereas the others aren't, but It is only about 60 per cent as strong.<br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/06/rope_types.jpg"><h2>How to pick your mooring lines </h2>Ropes made using different construction methods act differently in certain situations. <br><br><strong>Multiplait</strong> is usually eight-stranded, with four pairs. It doesn't tend to kink, making it the preferred option for anchor rope. <br><strong>Braided</strong> ropes' outer sheath are usually polyester which make them nicer to handle. Braided ropes can have a hollow core that is made to be stretchy, making them ideal mooring lines.<br><strong>Three-strand</strong> is often cheaper than the others and is able to be spliced easily, making it the usual choice for mooring lines.<br><br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/06/rope_size_.jpg"><h2>How to pick your mooring lines </h2>Each step up in rope size adds roughly 25 per cent to a line's breaking strain.<br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/06/mooring.jpg"><h2>How to pick your mooring lines </h2>Mooring lines need to be able to give, reducing the strain load on fittings. Rubber or metal springs can help increase this.<br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/06/throat.jpg"><h2>How to pick your mooring lines </h2><strong>Top Tip:</strong> A knot can reduce a rope's strength by up to half, but a well spliced rope can still retain around 90-95% of its integrity. Make sure the splice is large enough as if it is too small it will stretch the throat and weaken the rope.<br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/06/ROPEY_ROPES.jpg"><h2>How to pick your mooring lines </h2><strong>Don't let your ropes get ropey</strong><br>Sunlight, chafing and a bad 'nip' can damage your lines and weaken them, so beware.<br><br>For the full feature see the <a href="http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/magazine/50116/june-2012">June 2012 issue of MBM</a>.
