Tried and true, durable and all-American, the traditional dock line is a long rope attached at one end to a vessel and at the other to a fixed point ashore. Dock lines are used for everything from mooring small fishing vessels and skiff boats to larger vessels.
Dock lines are no-frills, long-lasting, hassle-free, and efficient.
If you want to know more about dock lines, keep reading.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Shoreline Marine Double Braided Nylon Dock Line | Best Overall |  |
| AIRHEAD AHDL-4 Bungee Dockline 4 Feet | Budget Pick |  |
| Predator | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Shoreline Marine Double Braided Nylon Dock Line
Pros:
- Bottom line:
Shares:
According to our research, this one is the best of the best on a tight budget especially if you aren’t going to use it frequently. It’s just good old fashioned raw nylon with waxed coating and works with any boat.
2. Boat Lines & Dock Ties Boat Dock Tie Bungee
Pros:
- Quality construction
- Fast shipping
Cons:
- As with all bungee products, they may stretch over time.
You can never go wrong with Uline, and the yellow dock lines are some of the best included in this guide. The Dock Ties are made from a slick heavy duty rubber material, with an old fashioned design.
The Dock Ties come in several lengths, from 36 inches up to 60 inches long, and in various colors. This is a pack of two 36 inch long Dock Ties. There are six color options and you can choose between black, yellow, red, royal blue, green or orange.
Each pack of Dock Ties also comes with a cord cutter for your convenience. You can easily cut the tangle free… if you need to.
3. AIRHEAD AHDL-4 Bungee Dockline 4 Feet
Pros:
- Solid brass grab hook
- Good quality and inexpensive
- Comes with a hook and loop cord system
- Protected from weather
- Hook is corrosion-resistant
X 1/2 Inch – Made in the U.S.A.
The Airhead Bungee DockLine comes in 4½ feet, 6½ feet, and 10 feet in length. These are three common lengths that you can find on the market. However, the manufacturers were also kind enough to give you the option of customizing size. You can choose to have a length that’s not on the list.
The grab hook on the bungee dockline ensures you don’t lose your items at the bottom of the water. The one we’re featuring has a hefty-duty grab hook made from hardened steel, and is wrapped in PVC.
4. Predator
Pros:
- Double braided nylon makes it strong and durable
- Easily adjustable
- Works well on large boats
- Has a long length
- Good value for the price
Cons:
- Colors are nearly identical
- The white part is hard to clean
The Predator NZ dock lines are a solid set of dock lines for your boat. It’s made from high-quality double braided nylon, which makes it durable. It also makes it a little stiff, which is why it’s good for hauling large boats.
The Predator NZ dock lines have an eyelet at each end. The eyelets will fit ropes that measure between 0.75 and 1.25 inches, which mean that you’ll only need to buy a set of ropes if your boat’s rope size is outside this range.
The kit comes with two cotton dock line bags. This is a nice feature:, especially if you have two different ropes for your boat. Because you’ll be able to easily separate them. Although you can also use the cotton cases for storing fishing gear.
5. Extreme Max 3006.2352 BoatTector Bungee Dock Line
Pros:
- Won’t stretch under a moving boat
- Bungee styling is pleasing to the eye
- The two colors help differentiate between your lines
Extreme Max make a fantastic bungee dock line set. It uses two color designs in order to differentiate the lines between the two. This makes it easier to keep track of your lines, especially at night.
One of the best things about the Extreme Max is that the bungee material within the line is secure enough to keep the boat where you put it, but it won’t burn when you drag it along a rough gravel surface. This is helpful because you won’t have to worry about your boat clinking along the dock.
The bungee is a soft material, so if your boat should shift a bit, the bungee will absorb that movement and keep it in place. This is very helpful, especially when you’re dealing with a boat on rough water.
6. SeaSense Double Braid Nylon Dockline
Pros:
- Nylon material is highly durable
- Good for resisting corrosion and mildew
- The lines are very durable
- Less visible under water
- Smooth handling and good grip
- Exceeds the industry standard
Cons:
- Not very stretchy
- Lines are thick, so you need some strong hands to hold them
The SeaSense Double Braid Nylon Dock Line is made of nylon and features the patented StayBrite technology. This line is suited to harsh marine conditions by being UV and salt water resistant. They feature an undercut swivel eye that eliminates line twist and the rope coil with locking gate keeps the dock lines neat and tidy.
The manufacturer states that the SeaSense Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines are guaranteed for life. In addition, these lines are rated for the most extreme conditions.
Bottom-line: The SeaSense Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines are a good choice for professionals and amateurs who go boating in the harsh conditions and want a product that will last for a long time.
7. Seachoice Double Braid Nylon Dock Line
Pros:
- Secure yet flexible
- Excellent resistance to wear and abrasion
- Comes with corrosion resistance
- Excellent strength
- Available in different diameters
- Strong and reliable knotting
- Resistant to high temperatures
- Stretches reliably
Cons:
- May not be elastic enough for the sailor who likes to use lots of knots
- Nylon is not hypoallergenic, so it’s not the best for people who have an allergy to plastic-type materials
The Seachoice Double Braid Nylon Dock Lines are made of durable nylon and they have a braided eye splice that adds to their flexibility. They come in a whole array of sizes and colors. They’re pre-shrunk or wound so you save the need for shrinkage.
These dock lines are not explicitly designed for marine use, but they are strong and will certainly hold up to the high-tech demands of sailors. They also have high resistance to abrasion; in fact, they are so strong, they could probably hold a ship that is out in the middle of the ocean.
8. Botepon 2Pcs Boat Dock Line
Pros:
- Cheaper than most quality dock lines
- Good quality
- Available in multiple lengths
The Botepon 2pcs boat dock line is a 25-foot rubber bungee cord for boats. It is great for securing your vessel or boat. Its good quality rubber and strength allow it to hold up a boat weighing up to several hundred pounds.
We like the fact that these come in a pack of two which means you can secure your job twice. This makes it perfect for securing a luxurious boat.
We also like the fact that they come with four sizes: four feet, five feet, six feet and eight feet. With four feet, you can secure small boats. Six feet are good for medium size boats. Five and eight feet are great for big boats.
9. DC Cargo Mall 2 Marine-Grade Double-Braided Dock Lines
Pros:
- The material is resistant to UV rays and will not deteriorate in extreme temperatures
- The lines have a secure gripping mechanism
- The diameter is just right for a variety of activities
Pontoons or Towables Quad-Pack.
Here’s a double-braided dock line by DC Cargo which is all about quality. The braided lines are resistant to UV rays and will not deteriorate in extreme temperatures.
They have a secure gripping mechanism, so the knots are not going to slip. The diameter is just right for a variety of activities.
10. Obcursco PWC Bungee Dock Line Stretchable
Pros:
- Competitive price point
- 100% satisfaction guarantee through Amazon
- Stretchable and flexible material
- Inexpensive and easy to use
- Extra tough and durable
- Easy to store and move around
- Lightweight
The Obcursco PWC Bungee Dock Lines are a simple yet powerful product that will get the job done. It’s made from a sturdy and flexible material that’s designed for high-strength dock lines.
This makes it great to tie down your boat on your boat lift or shore bollard. It uses heavy duty 210D nylon rope which is elastic and won’t snap under the pressure.
It’s been tested to be 20X stronger than regular rope. They can hold up to 400 lbs of weight, so if you’re looking for a little extra peace of mind when it comes to tying your boat down, then this is the product for you.
11. Extreme Max 3006.2168 BoatTector Double Braid Nylon Fender Line
Pros:
- Very easy to handle and will not tangle
- High quality and long lasting; won’t stretch through exposure to weather or time
- Comes with a generous length of line
- End loop prevents the line from fraying or unraveling
- Double braid nylon line provides superior strength
Rowing, running, biking, aerobics, skiing … we do it all. There’s a universal need for a well-made, flexible and durable rope to string those machines and secure them in place.
12. Skog Å Kust Premium Dock Lines
Pros:
- 3/8" rope construction
- UV and abrasion resistance
- 1,000 lbs. test strength
- Lifetime guarantee
- Synthetic core for great performance
- A range of three popular sizes
If you’re looking for a premium dock line that’ll last a while and be strong enough to handle almost anything you throw at it, the Skog Å Kust Premium Dock Lines could be an excellent choice.
What we love about this dock line is the 1,000 lbs. test strength, which is 20% stronger than normal dock lines. It’s also UV and abrasion resistant, so you can use them outdoors for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I choose a dock line?
The dock line (sometimes called the dock rope) is the line used to attach a boat on a trailer to the hitch ball. Its primary function is to keep the boat snug in place.
Different situations call for different dock lines. For example, if you own a dock near any trees, a dock line designed to be snag-proof might be a good idea. On the other hand, a thicker line will provide better grip in the water. Use your own needs and preferences as the guide.
What length dock lines do I need?
A 100% cotton rope of eight feet and one inch is the dock line of choice among a majority of sailors. If you are looking for a rope that can deal with mild environments (i.e. It shouldn’t corrode when it is exposed to moisture for short periods of time), which has high abrasion resistance, (an excellent rope that will last you for many years and provide you with many enjoyable sailing experiences.) Brand names like Marlow ensure that your rope will not just be perfect out of the package from the manufacturer, but also for many years to come. These lines are a bit difficult to knot initially, but once they are in place, you will have no worries.
When should I replace my dock lines?
If you replace your dock lines every five years, your dock lines will always be in good shape and will likely never break.
If you let your dock lines get old and decrepit, then they will break as soon as you need them most. You cannot afford that to happen when the deck is full of people.
In the event of a line break, you will not only need to replace the dock line, you will probably need to replace the fender line and the mooring cover. In which case, chances are you are going to replace the dock line anyway.
The best outcome is probably to replace them every year. At the very least, you should replace them once they start looking worn.
What kind of rope is used for dock lines?
Most dock line ropes are made from natural materials. The most important thing is that the rope be UV-resistant. The oversized ropes are typically made from UV-resistant Nylon or polypropylene.
Conclusion
Dock lines are used for tying a boat to a dock or a buoy. They typically have one end to tie to the boat’s bow or stern and the other end for tying it to the dock. There are two types of docks available – floating docks and fixed docks. In this article, we provide you with the top ten best dock lines in 2022.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Shoreline Marine Double Braided Nylon Dock Line | Best Overall | |
| AIRHEAD AHDL-4 Bungee Dockline 4 Feet | Budget Pick | |
| Predator | Upgrade Pick | |