What is a mooring line?
A mooring line is indispensable for every boat owner. It is a rope that is used to safely moor or secure a boat such as a jetty, quay, pier or pole. Our ready-made mooring lines are easy to use. There are different materials and sizes and we are happy to help you choose the right mooring line for your boat.
But what is a Landvast?
A mooring line is a rope used to secure a boat to a fixed structure. It holds the boat in place and prevents it from drifting due to currents, waves or wind. Mooring lines are often made of strong, durable materials and are designed to withstand the forces exerted on a boat.
Mooring lines are essential for safely mooring your boat, whether it is to a jetty, buoy or shore. Choosing the right mooring line is essential for a safe and stable mooring.
The attachment is usually done to bollards or cleats on the boat and bollards on the jetty.
Mooring lines are available in various colours, materials, thicknesses and lengths. The choice depends on the weight of the boat and the mooring location.
What length and thickness of mooring line do I need?
We recommend taking one and a half times the length of your boat for the two main mooring lines. It is also useful to have two mooring lines of one times the boat length on board. This gives you flexibility when mooring under different conditions.
Example:
- For a boat of 8 meters long, you would need two mooring lines of 12 meters and two of 8 meters.
Thickness of the mooring lines
The thickness of the mooring lines depends on the material and the length of your boat. Polypropylene mooring lines are weaker than polyester mooring lines, so they should be chosen in a thicker diameter. Below is a table with our advice:
| Boat length | Polyester | Polypropylene |
|---|---|---|
| 6 m / 20 ft | 8mm | 10mm |
| 8 m / 26 ft | 10mm | 14 mm |
| 10 m / 33 ft | 12 mm | 16 mm |
Additional Advice
- Heavier boats : Do you have a boat that is considerably heavier than average, for example due to extra equipment or a larger displacement? Then choose a thicker mooring line than what is normally recommended for your boat length.
- Material Choice : If you choose polypropylene, keep in mind that it is slightly weaker than polyester, so it is a good choice, but it does have the advantage of floating, which can be useful in certain applications.
Following these guidelines will ensure you have the correct length and thickness of mooring lines for safe and reliable mooring options.
3 strand and 16 strand Polypropylene and 16 strand polyester line are commonly used materials for mooring lines. Polypropylene is cheaper, floats, but becomes somewhat harder over time, especially the 3 strands, and is more likely to crack under tension. Polyester mooring lines offer advantages such as high tensile strength, good stretch properties and flexibility. They absorb the forces from wave action and are wear-resistant.
There are twisted and braided mooring lines. Twisted mooring lines consist of twisted strands such as 3 strand , while braided mooring lines such as 16 strand polypropylene and polyester have a core line with a braided line around it. Braided lines are less susceptible to damage and stretch a little more.
The length of a mooring line must be able to absorb forces from waves and take into account changing water levels. A common length in recreational boating is between 4 and 16 meters. Whether you bring the front or the back of your ship to the jetty, the length is important. If you use the mooring line as a spring to the middle of the boat, it is recommended to use one and a half times the length of the boat.
Ready-made mooring lines with split eye offer convenience and maintain high tensile strength. They reduce tensile strength less than self-made knots.
Tip Using different colours for mooring lines of different lengths makes it easy to distinguish between them.
Looking for the perfect mooring lines? Browse our extensive collection and sail with confidence.
If you suffer from a lot of wind and rough water, use mooring springs and rubber between the mooring lines so that they can absorb the wind and the rope is much stronger.