Dock Lines and Lock Lines for Lucky Enough

Good lines make docking calmer and locking easier. For Lucky Enough (our 2008 Regal 2565), we keep it simple: strong, comfortable rope that is easy to handle and behaves well in wakes, wind, and Rideau lock turbulence.

Best Rope Type

For almost everything we do, the best choice is double-braid nylon. It has the right balance of strength, flexibility, and slight stretch, which helps absorb shock loads from passing boats and keeps things smooth when holding position in a lock.

• Recommended: Double-braid nylon (dock lines, spring lines, lock lines)
• Usually avoid: Polypropylene (stiff, unpleasant handling, not ideal for locks)
• Optional but not necessary: High-modulus lines (Dyneema/Spectra) for this style of cruising

Line Diameter

For a 25 to 26 foot cruiser, we aim for lines that feel good in the hand and sit nicely on cleats. A practical range is:

• 3/8 inch: workable, but a bit light
• 7/16 inch: our sweet spot for comfort and easy handling
• 1/2 inch: very comfortable, a little bulkier to store (best for our 8" cleats)

In practice, 1/2 inch double-braid nylon is ideal for our boat.

Our Core Line Set

This is the simple kit that covers almost every situation: marina slips, town docks, and the Rideau locks.

Docking and Overnight Lines

• 2 x 20 ft dock lines (general bow and stern use)
• 2 x 30 ft dock lines (spring lines and flexibility at odd docks)

We prefer these dock lines with eye splices so they drop cleanly over cleats and posts.

Rideau Lock Lines

• 2 x 40 to 50 ft lines dedicated to locking

For lock lines, we like plain ends (no eye splice) because we are usually looping the line around a lock cable or rail and controlling it as the water level changes. The extra length is helpful so we always have enough slack to adjust quickly.

Spare Utility Line

• 1 x 50 ft spare line for emergencies and unexpected tie-ups

Quick Handling Tips

• Keep lock lines separate from dock lines so they stay cleaner and are always ready.
• Use darker colors if you do not want lines to look dirty after a few lock days.
• Coil lines the same way every time so they deploy without knots when you need them fast.

Bottom Line

If you only remember one thing: for our cruiser, double-braid nylon in 7/16 inch or 1/2 inch, with a couple of longer dedicated lock lines, is the cleanest, most reliable setup for the Rideau and everyday docking.