Dock line snubbers

[pmoyer]

One of my friends who lives aboard his Pearson 365 told me I needed to go get dockline snubbers, since I spend a good deal of time aboard in the slip. Boy was he right! They make a huge amount of difference as she blows up against the end of the windward lines! If you don't like jerky motion at the slip, try the snubbers....

(just sharing a happy find!)

Cheers!

[Sapperwhite]

Snubbers are really effective if you have floating docks. They help to lessen the motion because the dock and boat move at different frequencies. If you don't have them sometimes you will get a good jerk as the boat goes up while the dock goes down.The snubbers really take up alot of that force.

[Cruisingdad]

Pmoyer and all, regarding snubbers:

I am a fan of snubbers. HOWEVER, READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY: THEY WILL FAIL. When they fail, all the line wrapped around the snubbers will let loose and can put you into the lee dock. Thus, if you use Snubbers, double your lines (with the snubber taking the majority of the force), but with the second line tied just loose enough that when (WHEN) the snubber fails, it will hold the boat off the dock.

- CD

[NautiC25]

Sorry to bump this, but this was the closest thread I could find to my question. The post above is all I've been reading in forums and WM reviews. They fail!

I'd like some feedback on what is the best brand snubber you've been using? All I hear about is how they break after one season. That sounds rediculous to pay $200 for 4 snubbers every season.

My marina requires them, so I have to find something.

[NautiC25]

Nobody using snubbers?

[ottos]

No promises, but you may get better results with your own thread.

[rmeador]

I put snubbers on my dock lines last year for huricane Irene. The hurricane turned out to be a joke, but the snubbers are really great (I live aboard). Made a huge difference in comfort and noise over the winter. Mine are Falcon Safety brand, bought through Defender. They show no sign of impending failure after about 9 months, andthey supposedly have a 5 year guarantee, so I don't think they'll fail any time soon. They do put black marks on the hull where they rub though, so I've rigged some bungees to keep them away from the hull.

[SHNOOL]

snubbers are great on larger boats esp.

Also for the record, spring lines are also essential to dampen the hard bump at the end of a line. The longer lengths of line from bow run to a piling headed aft can really A) pull the boat away from the dock, and B) take some of the shock up... it'll also extend the life of your snubbers

[JimMcGee]

Mine are four years old and I haven't seen any of the cracking shown in the review photos on the West site. FWIW I ordered mine through Defender.

[flo617]

I had some snubbers that came with the boat. They are ok but a little stiff for the sometimes agitated conditions at my marina.

However, I got some extra ones at my marina: Used tires. Cost me 20$ for four and they do an excellent job. I only installed two (other lines are on the original snubbers) but it improved the behavior of the boat at dock greatly.