Docking lines/ropes ???

[Ranger391v]

Does anybody have a docking line/rope that they have found to work really good with their single-stemmed 'pop-up' style cleats????

The ropes I used on my old Ranger are 3 strand nylon rope and they're just too big and do not bend easily enough to wrap around the Skeeter's cleats. Thus I'm looking for something better.

THANKS !

[Skeeter185]

Try the Airhead bungee dock line. They come in different lengths and are great. Just google it and you'll have alot of different places that sell them.

[Neilslure]

I dont much care for the pop up cleats, IMO they are a bit too small. Best way I have found is to use a line with a loop in the end and put it on in a way that the harder you pull, the tighter it gets.

I actually had my boat get away from me at the ramp once. Luckily there was a nice young lady on a ski boat that swam out and got it for me .

[go-fish]

I agree with Neil, I don't like the single stem pop-up either. I tied up some lines with loops at the ends just big enough to fit over the boat cleats. Still I don't trust that they won't work their way off.

[Ranger391v]

Thanks 185 ... I'll look them up.

Neil and Igf2 .... I'm like ya'll, the little pop-up cleat looks great (especially after yours truely broke a $150 rod on his last boat b/c it had the old standard bolted cleats, the rod got under it after boating a 5lb'er in a tournament, and in the hurry to stay on deep water fish I picked the rod up not looking and snapped it .... thankfully i had another just like it). But as far as actually useing the little cleat .... it's hard to and I don't trust it either.

This past Saturday's Youth TX I was by myself loading/unloading/docking the boat since the better half couldn't make it ..... thus leaving it unattended for sometime (especially that morning). This is when I learned I had a slight problem.

Thus I took my 'thick and relatively stiff' docking lines and did just as ya'll said, but I put it around the bow lean/fishing pole. Thankfully my rope was long enough to still tie off onto the dock.

THANKs to those that responded so far !

[Doug Vahrenberg]

The best investment is the Moor Mate - Retractable mooring lines that Skeeter offers as an option. Never have to hunt for your ropes again.

[mikeky]

replaced mine with the two stem

[Ranger391v]

After checking around and looking at the AirHeads brand that was mentioned, and the comments on lines actually slipping off (which is what I was worried was going to happen), I decided to make my own.

I got some 1/4" nylon rope in a Heavy Duty weight catagory and tied myself a loop.



I tried putting a hose snugger on it only to find myself liable to loose the hose part,



thus I made the loop just barely big enough so that I can double loop it around the shaft of the pop-up cleat.



Also, for bumpers. I didn't like my old hard rubber straight bumpers. While looking at ropes I seen these bumpers for jet ski's ( I guess they are good for something after all ). These are bumpers for jet ski's that attach with suction cups. They would be easy to make since all they are is a piece of foam with a bungee ran through the middle and 2 large suction cups. However for $20/pair I just bought them.





THANKS for the help guys !

[TNT]

those bumpers look pretty cool !

[blackknife]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skeeter185 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Try the Airhead bungee dock line. They come in different lengths and are great. Just google it and you'll have alot of different places that sell them. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have a pair of these as well, but I use short ropes where I fish most just because the airheads are a bit too long for this particular dock. they also have the plastic tubing on the loops so you can tighten them up on the cleats. they work really well, and are pretty cheap at around 12 bucks each. sweet looking Skeeter ya got there Ranger391v! I wish mine looked as clean & polished. back in my late teens & early 20's I would be all over waxing it, but now in my mid 40's I just don't have the motivation! my colors are similar to yours too

[shortcast]

Doug is right. Moor Mate's are the way to go.

[blackknife]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shortcast &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Doug is right. Moor Mate's are the way to go.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I would definitely agree...if you can afford them, and don't mind doing the install

[Ranger391v]

Thanks Blackknife ! I was fortunate to find one that had been taken so much care of. I know what you mean about not having the energy to 'clean' like you used to. My dealer gave me a bottle of 'BTS' and I've really come to like that stuff. I do need to find some way to remove the 'white plastic' scuffs that are on the rub rail ..... those are driving me crazy.

I'll try and get some good pictures of my ride soon and post them up in a new thread. Heading up north to do some bowhunting, so it might be a week or two before I can get them posted.

Moor Mates look nice ...... I just can't bring myself to 'cut her open' just yet .

[oubassr]

Look on Skeeter's website. I bought their mooring ropes and I like them - very supple but strong. I also have the moormates option and like them too.