Brait line for DOCK lines

[Rebinva]

I have seen some discussion on brait lines for anchor lines. They appear to be reasonably well suited to that purpose. However, in looking for new DOCK lines, I find that Defender as well as some others indicate that brait lines are suitable for DOCK lines as well. They appear to be nearly as strong as double braid, 1//2 inch double braid breaking strength is 8500 lbs, 1/2 brait 8300. Has any one used them for this purpose? What is your experience?
They are considerably less expensive than double braid.

Comments would be welcome.

[Rebinva]

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[Jerry Hammernik]

Rebinva,

There is a fair amount of discussion on the web on this subject. The following link is just one opinion but I think it speaks to one of my main concerns.
http://www.ropeinc.com/choosingdockline.html

An important factor to consider in my view is how protected is the dock? Is the boat subjected to significant amounts of wind and surge? If so, I think 3 strand still offers the most stretch.

Are you buying them premade or splicing them yourself? I prefer to splice 3 strand myself as I then can have exactly what I want. There are many boaters that are reluctant to attempt to splice 3 strand, but it is not rocket science. It requires some care but if you proceed with care you can turn out work of high quality and that gives you that extra bit of satisfaction. The only tricky part is the first pass through the line. After that is is just following the pattern. They are a number of good instructions available.

Brait is a newer product and as such does not have the track record of 3 strand. It may turn out to be wonderful (or not) but we know 3 strand works well and has a long history of service in this application.

From my limited knowledge of brait, it appears that its major attraction is that in anchor lockers it stows more compactly. That of course is of limited importance in dock lines.

I look forward to hearing of any experience from other board members.

Good luck.

[David VanDenburgh]

From the Yale Cordage website:

Brait combines braiding technology with plaited rope optimizing the best of both rope styles. Nylon Brait's most outstanding feature is its high energy absorption which comes from a combination of the very long yarn path required to make a plaited rope, and stranditure developed especially to maximize energy absorption. Nylon Brait can absorb (or mitigate) greater amounts of dynamic energy than 3-stranded or braided rope structures with less damage. Braits energy absorption also keeps the corresponding loads on attachment points smaller since the rope does more work internally. Brait is spliced easily and the spliced rope delivers 100% of the ropes advertised strength.

http://www.yalecordage.com/industrial-r ... ait-2.html

With high energy absorption and spliceability with no loss of strength, it looks like it should be ideal for docklines, anchor lines, and mooring line, but I don't have any personal experience with it.

Splicing instructions look straightforward and pretty much like splicing three-strand. Here's the link: http://www.yalecordage.com/splicing-instructions

I guess you're going to have to try it out, Rebinva, and let us know what you find. I for one will be eager to hear the results.

[Rebinva]

willbe me. We'll see. I have had a couple of bigger problems show up for now. Need a new bow sprit for one.

[David VanDenburgh]

Ouch! That's a problem. My sympathies.