How Many Dock Lines Should I Carry?

A lot of boaters think about the size and length of their dock lines, but there is another important question:

How many dock lines should you actually carry?

For most recreational boats, we recommend carrying at least four dock lines.

But if you want enough flexibility for different docks, spring lines, windy conditions, or unexpected situations, six dock lines is an even better setup.

The goal is not to carry a pile of rope you never use.

It is to have enough lines aboard to secure your boat properly no matter what the dock looks like when you arrive.

The Simple Answer

For a typical recreational lake boat:

4 dock lines = a good minimum

6 dock lines = a more complete and versatile setup

A four-line setup gives you the basics.

A six-line setup gives you additional options for spring lines, unusual dock layouts, wind, wakes, rafting with another boat, or simply having a spare.

Why Four Dock Lines Is a Good Minimum

Most boats have cleats on both the port and starboard sides.

Having four dock lines allows you to keep a line available for the bow and stern on either side of the boat.

A basic four-line setup might include:

• 2 bow/stern lines for the port side

• 2 bow/stern lines for the starboard side

This means you do not have to move all of your dock lines from one side of the boat to the other every time you approach a dock.

That can make docking faster and easier.

It is especially useful when you do not know ahead of time which side of the boat will be against the dock.

Why Six Dock Lines Is Even Better

Once you add two additional lines, you gain a lot more flexibility.

A six-line setup can give you:

• 4 primary bow and stern lines

• 2 longer lines for spring-line use

Those extra lines become very useful when the boat needs more control at the dock.

They can also serve as spares if a line gets wet, dirty, damaged, misplaced, or simply is not long enough for a particular dock.

For boaters who frequently visit different docks and marinas, six lines can be a very practical setup.

What Is a Bow Line?

A bow line is attached near the front of the boat and runs to the dock.

Its main job is to help control the bow and keep the front of the boat from moving too far away from the dock.

Depending on the dock configuration, the bow line may run slightly forward, slightly backward, or nearly perpendicular to the boat.

What Is a Stern Line?

The stern line performs the same basic job at the rear of the boat.

It helps keep the stern close to the dock and limits excessive movement.

Together, the bow and stern lines help hold the boat alongside the dock.

But they do not always do a great job of preventing the boat from moving forward and backward.

That is where spring lines come in.

What Is a Spring Line?

A spring line runs more lengthwise along the boat.

Its purpose is to limit forward or backward movement.

For example, a spring line may run:

• From a forward boat cleat toward a dock cleat farther aft

• From an aft boat cleat toward a dock cleat farther forward

Spring lines can be particularly helpful when:

• Wind is pushing the boat along the dock

• Boat wakes are causing movement

• You are staying overnight

• The dock is exposed

• The cleats are spaced awkwardly

• You need more control while boarding or unloading

This is why having two longer lines in addition to your regular dock lines can be so useful.

A Practical Six-Line Setup

For many recreational lake boats, a very useful setup is:

Four Standard Dock Lines

These are your everyday bow and stern lines.

They should be long enough to handle the docks you normally encounter without creating excessive loose rope.

Two Longer Dock Lines

These can be used as:

• Spring lines

• Extra bow or stern lines

• Lines for unusual dock configurations

• Rafting lines

• Backup lines

The longer lines do not need to be used every time you dock.

They are there when you need them.

How Long Should the Lines Be?

A good general starting point is:

Bow and stern lines: approximately two-thirds of the boat's length

Spring lines: approximately the full length of the boat

For example, on a 21-foot recreational boat, a practical setup might be:

• Four 15-foot dock lines

• Two 20- to 25-foot longer lines

That gives you plenty of flexibility without carrying excessively long ropes for every position.

Example Dock Line Setups

16–20 Foot Boat

A practical setup might include:

• Four 10- to 15-foot dock lines

• Two 15- to 20-foot longer lines

For many boats in this range, 7/16-inch Hot Boat Ropes dock lines are a good starting point.

20–24 Foot Boat

Consider:

• Four 15-foot dock lines

• Two 20- to 25-foot longer lines

Our 7/16-inch dock lines are a strong fit for many recreational boats in this range.

24–35 Foot Boat

Consider:

• Four 20- to 25-foot dock lines

• Two 25- to 35-foot longer lines

Our 5/8-inch floating dock lines are a good starting point for many larger or heavier recreational boats in this range.

35-Foot and Larger Boats

Larger boats often benefit from:

• Four appropriately sized primary dock lines

• Two or more longer spring lines

• Additional lines depending on the boat's weight and docking environment

Our 3/4-inch floating dock lines are designed for larger, heavier applications where a more substantial line is appropriate.

Should I Keep Lines on Both Sides of the Boat?

For many recreational boaters, the answer is yes.

Keeping dock lines ready on both sides of the boat can make approaching a dock much easier.

You may not know which side you will be docking on until you arrive.

If your lines are already positioned, you spend less time moving ropes around while trying to maneuver the boat.

That can be especially helpful at:

• Fuel docks

• Courtesy docks

• Busy marinas

• Restaurant docks

• Launch ramps

Being prepared makes the docking process smoother.

What About Rafting With Another Boat?

If you occasionally tie your boat alongside another boat, carrying a couple of extra lines becomes even more useful.

Longer lines can help secure the boats together and may also be needed to run from the outside boat to the dock.

Fenders are also important when rafting boats together so the hulls do not rub against each other.

This is another situation where having only two or three dock lines can quickly become frustrating.

Why Carry a Spare Dock Line?

Even if you normally use only four lines, having a spare is a good idea.

A dock line can:

• Become damaged

• Get excessively dirty

• Fall overboard

• Get left behind

• Turn out to be too short

• Be needed for another purpose

A spare line takes up very little space compared with the inconvenience of not having one when you need it.

Floating Dock Lines Make Line Management Easier

All Hot Boat Ropes dock lines are made from single-braid floating rope.

That can be especially helpful when managing several lines around a recreational boat.

If a line falls into the water, it remains at or near the surface instead of immediately disappearing underneath the boat.

This makes the line:

• Easier to see

• Easier to retrieve

• Easier to manage around the dock

• Less likely to sink toward the propeller area

Proper line management is always important around a running engine, but floating rope provides an extra measure of visibility.

Heavy-Duty Sewn Loops

Hot Boat Ropes dock lines are not simply pieces of rope cut to length.

Our finished loops are reinforced with heavy-duty webbing and sewn using multiple X-Box stitch patterns, depending on the rope size and intended application.

That gives you a ready-to-use dock line with a substantial finished loop designed for everyday boating.

So, How Many Dock Lines Do You Really Need?

For most recreational lake boaters:

Minimum Recommendation

Carry at least four dock lines.

This gives you a practical bow and stern setup for either side of the boat.

Better Recommendation

Carry six dock lines.

Use four as your standard bow and stern lines and keep two longer lines available for spring-line duty, unusual docks, or backup.

For many boaters, six lines provide the best balance between preparedness and simplicity.

A Good Dock Line Setup Is About Flexibility

Every dock is a little different.

Cleats may be farther apart.

The wind may be coming from the wrong direction.

You may need a spring line.

You may end up tying alongside another boat.

Or you may simply need five more feet of rope than you expected.

Carrying a few additional lines means you can adapt instead of trying to make an inadequate setup work.

Need Help Choosing Your Dock Lines?

If you are not sure how many dock lines you need or what sizes and lengths are right for your boat, call or text Hot Boat Ropes at 406-961-8688.

Tell us:

• Your boat length

• Approximate boat weight

• Boat type

• Where you normally dock

• Whether you primarily make short stops or stay tied up longer

We'll help you put together a dock-line setup that makes sense for your boat.

Hot Boat Ropes — Premium floating marine lines made in Montana.