Anybody tried bungee docking lines?

[dttheel]

I am finalizing a purchase (our first boat) and am starting to pick up some "essentials." I was wondering if you guys thought the bungee docking lines worked well or should we stick with the traditional ones.

I would welcome your thoughts.

Thanks.

[2001SAN]

I am finalizing a purchase (our first boat) and am starting to pick up some "essentials." I was wondering if you guys thought the bungee docking lines worked well or should we stick with the traditional ones.

I would welcome your thoughts.

Thanks.

I've been using them for years. Jobe bungees with clips. They are soooo handy. People may stick with standard lines but I have no idea why. Maybe on a sail boat or something...

One of these from the base of the wakeboard tower wrapped round a cleat and you're good to go. I use two for long term mooring.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jobe-Webbi...p2054897.l4275

D.

[RideButter]

Ronix bungees look identical. I have been using them for years as well. Very happy! The multiple loops allow you to shorten the bungee very easily.

[bhectus]

I bought a 4' one but it is a little on the short side (the 4' length is measured fully stretched) as the main reason in buying it was to tie off from the tow pylon which is obviously in the center of the boat. I'd use it a lot more if it was 6'.

[Zach@n3]

I love them in a tournament boat on the pylon. I don't like them quite as much if you are tying off from the front. If the boat has a mid ship cleat they work great with that and the rear.

[core-rider]

I'm not a big fan of bungees just because I've never had much luck morring a boat like I want with bungees. In a raft-up situation I like tying the boats up tight, squeezing a hippity-hop so that they stay in place and boats don't bang together. You just can't do that with a bungee. I guess it all depends on how and where you're tying off, water conditions, etc. I've always used traditional rope so that's what I'm used too.

[DLafont]

I have a couple on board at all times, mainly for when I go visit someone on the lake or if I meet up with friends on the water and we raft up. I have a center pylon so the bungies work great off of that.

[HS]

What core rider and Lafont said. Until last summer, I went with traditional docking lines, two short and one long to use as a spring line. Then during last summer, we met up on the lake for a mid day float with another couple of families and rafted up. The one guy had the bungee style which were good for reducing the stress on the cleats when wakes would come by (as he explained it). So I picked up a set. At the ramp, however, if I need to tie up, I still use the traditional lines.

[jroyal]

I have these and love them.

http://www.nautiqueparts.com/docklinenautiquelogo.aspx

[SANTE230OH]

I have used these for about 4-5 years. I use a 4' for the back of the boat and a 6' for the front.

[Rogue14]

As some have said, it depends on what you use them for. I keep my boat in the lake during the season for 3-4 months. My lake can get pretty rough from the wind/storms. I use them and like them a lot. Before I had them, the cleats on the dock really looked like they were about to be ripped out when big waves came in. These are much easier on the dock/boat/cleat interactions. It is tricky to get the lengths right if you get fixed length bungees. I'm kinda paranoid but use 4 bungees--1 in bow ring, 2 at mid cleat, and 1 at rear cleat. Although I've never had one break, I don't totally trust the bungees though and still add 3 fixed ropes to secure my boat though they only have any effect if there are big waves/winds pushing the boat around--otherwise they are very loose. I know it sounds like overkill with that many ropes but I do worry about the boat when I am not there. Last year, shortly after I had taken my boat out for the year, there was a big windstorm and reportedly 8 boats on the lake sunk. I don't know that for sure but I do know for a fact the boat at the cabin right next to mine did sink (it was just a 14ft fiberglass tub but still.......) and that owner gave me the info on the damage to other boats.

[96SNEFI]

I use mooring whips on my dock when I'm at the place and then anchor it when I'm not there. No bumpers and forgetting them when you go out and look like a dork with bumpers flailing around. The whips act as springs to keep the boat away from the dock. I got 4 Correct Craft pop-up cleats. Two not far in front of the windshield on the side/top so I can attach the loops from the drivers area and the other two on the rear flatish area on both sides. I really only use one side but y'know symmetry and all that. If you set up the ropes just right there's no fumbling with knots. Just slip the loops over the cleats and you're in. I also have little springs so that waves bouncing the boat don't shock the dock and cleats as much. Use the X crossover front to back rope design and the boat barely moves forward or back.

[HS]

Dock whips are way cool...my pal has them on his dock and it makes visiting his place all the better. I still use a spring line to resist any swells that come along the hull length wise.

[vision]

I use mooring whips on my dock when I'm at the place and then anchor it when I'm not there. No bumpers and forgetting them when you go out and look like a dork with bumpers flailing around. The whips act as springs to keep the boat away from the dock. I got 4 Correct Craft pop-up cleats. Two not far in front of the windshield on the side/top so I can attach the loops from the drivers area and the other two on the rear flatish area on both sides. I really only use one side but y'know symmetry and all that. If you set up the ropes just right there's no fumbling with knots. Just slip the loops over the cleats and you're in. I also have little springs so that waves bouncing the boat don't shock the dock and cleats as much. Use the X crossover front to back rope design and the boat barely moves forward or back.

Do you ever have issues with folks using the dock whips to secure their boat and then the whips catching on the boat's tower when they go to leave or while they are docking?

[Woody_tobius_jr]

I have a 6' bungee that I use when I tie off to a buoy, but I also stretched the bungee out to about 6" from its maximum stretch and then cut a piece of 1/2" dock line to that length and attached them to stainless clips that I clip to the buoy and the bow. I'm always a little nervous of a storm hitting during the night and having the bungee take all the stress, kind of an emergency back up and peace of mind.


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