Dock lines, mooring lines, anchor rode, and sailboat rigging from the brands boaters trust. Nylon, polyester, and high-performance blends. Cut to length.
Marine Rope & Dock Lines
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ROPE.comClassic polyester rope for porch swings or exercise battle rope.
View detailsStarting from $0.35 / ft.
New England RopesMulti-purpose double braid line that holds up to the elements.
View detailsStarting from $0.63 / ft.
New England RopesMulti-purpose double braid line that holds up to the elements.
View detailsStarting from $0.57 / ft.
New England RopesMulti-purpose double braid line that holds up to the elements.
View detailsStarting from $1.14 / ft.
Maxim Climbing RopesSpliceable floating rope designed specifically for water rescue applications.
View detailsStarting from $1.32 / ft.
Marlow RopesThis eco-conscious dock line is made from recycled yarn.
View detailsStarting from $1.79 / ft.
New England RopesMulti-purpose double braid line that holds up to the elements.
View detailsOriginal Price $1.89Starting from $1.53
Maxim Climbing RopesNFPA throwline is a double braid that features a polypropylene cover with Dyneema
View detailsStarting from $1.54 / ft.
ROPE.comWeather-resistant and strong multi-purpose rope.
View detailsOriginal Price $72.23Starting from $58.51
Showing Products 1 - 24 of 63
Choosing the Right Marine Rope
The rope on your boat handles UV, saltwater, abrasion, and constant load cycles. Every marine rope we carry is built for that environment. We stock dock lines, mooring lines, anchor rode, sailboat rigging lines, and marine accessories from manufacturers who build specifically for the water.
ROPE.com sells marine rope by the foot and in pre-cut lengths. No minimum orders. Pick the diameter, pick the length, and we cut it to order.
Dock Lines and Mooring
Dock lines take constant strain from tides, wind, and wakes. Nylon is the standard material because it stretches under load, which absorbs shock and protects your cleats and hardware. Double braid nylon is the most common construction for dock lines. 3-strand twisted nylon is a cost-effective alternative that is easy to splice and handles well.
Mooring lines face the same demands but often run longer and heavier. Diameter depends on boat length and displacement. As a general rule, use 1/2″ for boats up to 30 feet, 5/8″ for 30 to 45 feet, and 3/4″ or larger for anything above that.
Anchor Rode
Anchor rode connects your boat to the anchor. A nylon anchor line absorbs shock from waves and wind gusts. Most setups use a combination of chain at the anchor end and nylon line running up to the boat. 3-strand twisted nylon is the standard because it stretches well and is easy to splice to chain.
Sailboat Rigging and Running Lines
Sailboat rigging lines need low stretch for control and consistent handling under load. Polyester double braid is the standard for halyards, sheets, and control lines. High-performance blends with Dyneema or Spectra reduce weight and stretch further for racing applications. Yacht ropes from Marlow and New England Ropes cover everything from cruising to competitive sailing.
Material Guide
Nylon stretches under load, absorbs shock, and resists UV. The standard for dock lines, mooring, and anchor rode.
Polyester has minimal stretch and excellent UV resistance. The standard for sailboat running rigging, halyards, and sheets.
Polypropylene floats and resists water absorption. Used for ski tow lines, dinghy painters, and applications where buoyancy matters. Not as strong or UV-resistant as nylon or polyester.
Marine Rope Sizing Guide
Match your rope to your boat and application
Dock Line by Boat Length
| Boat Length | Diameter | Construction |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 ft | 3/8″ | Nylon double braid → |
| 20 – 30 ft | 1/2″ | Nylon double braid → |
| 30 – 45 ft | 5/8″ | Nylon double braid → |
| 45 – 60 ft | 3/4″ | Nylon double braid → |
| 60 ft + | 1″ | Nylon double braid → |
Mooring Line by Boat Length
| Boat Length | Diameter | Construction |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 25 ft | 1/2″ | Nylon 3-strand → |
| 25 – 35 ft | 5/8″ | Nylon 3-strand → |
| 35 – 50 ft | 3/4″ | Nylon double braid → |
| 50 ft + | 7/8″ – 1″ | Nylon double braid → |
Anchor Rode by Boat Length
| Boat Length | Diameter | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 ft | 3/8″ | 150 ft → |
| 20 – 30 ft | 1/2″ | 200 ft → |
| 30 – 45 ft | 5/8″ | 250 ft → |
| 45 ft + | 3/4″ | 300 ft → |
Material by Application
| Application | Material | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dock lines | Nylon → | Stretch absorbs shock |
| Mooring | Nylon → | Load cycling durability |
| Halyards / Sheets | Polyester → | Low stretch, UV stable |
| Ski tow / Dinghy | Polypropylene → | Floats, lightweight |
Marine Rope FAQ
Common questions from boaters and riggers
What is the best rope for dock lines?
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Nylon is the standard material for dock lines. It stretches under load, which absorbs shock from tides, wakes, and wind gusts. Double braid nylon is the most popular construction for its smooth handling and durability. 3-strand twisted nylon is a proven, spliceable alternative that costs less.
What size dock line do I need for my boat?
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The general rule is 1/8 inch of rope diameter for every 9 feet of boat length. For a 30-foot boat, that means 1/2 inch dock lines. For a 45-foot boat, 5/8 inch. For boats over 50 feet, 3/4 inch or larger. Dock lines should be at least 2/3 the length of the boat for bow and stern lines, and longer for spring lines.
What is the difference between nylon and polyester rope for boats?
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Nylon stretches under load and absorbs shock. It is the standard for dock lines, mooring, and anchor rode where you want the rope to give under surging forces. Polyester has minimal stretch and holds its shape under load. It is the standard for sailboat running rigging, halyards, and sheets where you need precise control. Both materials resist UV and saltwater.
How long should my anchor line be?
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The standard scope ratio is 7:1, meaning 7 feet of rode for every 1 foot of water depth. In 20 feet of water, you need at least 140 feet of anchor rode. Most boats carry 150 to 300 feet of anchor line depending on where they anchor. 3-strand twisted nylon is the standard because it stretches well and splices easily to chain.
Should I use double braid or 3-strand for dock lines?
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Double braid nylon handles more smoothly, coils neatly, and looks cleaner on the dock. 3-strand twisted nylon is easier to splice, costs less, and performs just as well. Both are excellent for dock lines. Double braid is more common on larger boats and in marinas. 3-strand is popular with working boats and budget-conscious boaters.
Does polypropylene work for dock lines?
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Polypropylene floats and is lightweight, which makes it useful for ski tow lines, dinghy painters, and water rescue applications. However, it is not recommended for dock lines. It has lower strength, degrades faster in UV, and does not stretch enough to absorb shock loads the way nylon does.
What rope do I need for sailboat rigging?
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Halyards, sheets, and control lines need low-stretch polyester double braid for precise sail control. For racing, high-performance lines with Dyneema or Spectra cores reduce weight and stretch further. Line diameter depends on the boat size and the specific application. Larger boats need larger diameter lines to handle higher loads.
How often should I replace my dock lines?
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Inspect dock lines regularly for chafe, stiffness, discoloration, and broken fibers. In a typical marina environment, nylon dock lines last 3 to 5 years with proper chafe protection. Lines exposed to constant sun, heavy wakes, or rough pilings may need replacement sooner. If you see glazed or flattened spots from chafe, replace the line.
Why Arborists Choose ROPE.com
Cut-to-Length
Buy exactly what you need
We cut every rope to order. Need 120 feet of climbing line or 200 feet of bull rope? You get that length, not a pre-packaged coil with 50 feet of waste.
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Pro Brands Only
The names you trust on every job
Teufelberger, Samson, Yale, Sterling, Maxim, Petzl. We only carry manufacturer-direct rope built for professional arborist use.
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Orders over $199 ship free. Most in-stock items ship within 1–2 business days.
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Rope Experts on Staff
Real people who know rope
Questions about diameter, device compatibility, splicing, or construction? Call us. We splice, cut, and test rope every day.
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Marine Rope & Dock Lines at ROPE.com
Every marine rope we stock is built for saltwater, UV, and the constant load cycles that come with life on the water. We carry dock lines in nylon double braid and 3-strand, mooring lines for permanent and semi-permanent slips, anchor rode in 3-strand twisted nylon, and sailboat rigging lines in low-stretch polyester and high-performance blends.
Dock Lines & Mooring
Nylon dock lines absorb the shock of tides, wind, and passing wakes. Double braid nylon is the most popular construction for its handling and durability. 3-strand twisted nylon is a proven, spliceable alternative. We stock both in diameters from 3/8″ through 1″ and cut everything to length so you get exactly what your slip requires.
Mooring lines, anchor lines, rigging lines, and marine accessories are all available by the foot. No pre-packaged bundles. Questions about sizing? Our team can help you match rope to your boat.
