Line Storage

[H and E]

Yesterday we were walking the dock and looking at other sailboats and how they were set up. I looked at one that had net bags to collect the lines at the forward bulkhead in the cockpit. I have looked for them, however have not yet found them. They look to be a good thing to have to keep the lines stored.

Currently I just coil them up and hang on the winches.

[DRFerron]

I coil and hang. I have seen some bags that were not mesh and that means they may take longer to dry when wet.

Are you asking where you can buy the bags?

[emoney]

Tons of chandlerys carry them. Here's just one that a quick Google search revealed;
STANDOUT YACHT FITTINGS | Products | Complete Product List

[Minnewaska]

I've always wondered if it just becomes a rats nest of lines in those bags. I've seen them, but never had them myself. I coil and hang on winches for short layovers. For overnights, I coil, tie off and line them up separately on the cabin top.

[pdqaltair]

You would never coil and anchor rode, for certainty that it would tangle on the drop. Racers wouldn't use them if they did, and they do use them

However, bagged lines are slow to dry (never it seems) and will get some algae growth. On the plus side, it keeps them out of the sun. It does not shorten their lives. I have used bags for 20 years on several boats.

I have always sewn my own, as the commercial bags never suited the space I had; not difficult.

I must admit I don't quite understand the "coil on the winch" approach anyway. Most of my winches serve several lines, at least on occasion, so having a line parked on the winch seems like double parking. By keeping the lines in bags (one compartment for each line--very important) the winches are free and the lines are always ready to run, just like a rode in a chain locker.

[DRFerron]

Originally Posted by pdqaltair

You would never coil and anchor rode, for certainty that it would tangle on the drop.

I'm sure the OP wasn't referring to anchor lines.

Originally Posted by pdqaltair

I have always sewn my own, as the commercial bags never suited the space I had; not difficult.

Great idea.

Originally Posted by pdqaltair

I must admit I don't quite understand the "coil on the winch" approach anyway. Most of my winches serve several lines, at least on occasion, so having a line parked on the winch seems like double parking. By keeping the lines in bags (one compartment for each line--very important) the winches are free and the lines are always ready to run, just like a rode in a chain locker.

Since the OP referred to walking the dock, I assumed that we are talking about using bags while being tied up, not underway, so there is no interference with the winch's intended purpose.

[Minnewaska]

I too would not consider coiling lines over the winches while underway. It seemed clear we were discussing lines in the cockpit at rest.

However, a separate compartment for each line seems to make more sense if used underway.

[Stu Jackson]

We removed the bags the minute we bought our boat in 1998. We just coil the lines on themselves and let the hand as backrests in the cockpit. Not too hard.

Reply #1 photo: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,860.0.html

[pdqaltair]

All good comments.

1. Bags that are poorly located are a curse. For many boats their may be no good location, both near the winches and out-of-the-way, and then they are the wrong answer. I've both moved and removed bags that didn't serve well. Good locations can be very hard or impossible to find on many boats.

2. The anchor line reference was only an illustration intended to show that line flaked in a box, bin, or proper bag should play out freely. I hope it did not come across as somehow insulting. I did not intend that.

3. Dock vs. underway. I have sailed with folks who stored coils on winches while sailing, so that was the basis of the comment. I've sailed with folks who toss everything on the cockpit floor, and I don't like that much.

We use the bag underway in the sense that any line not in use is stowed. However, before launching a chute , tacking, or jibing, the affected lines are removed and flaked on seats as required.

I should add that I developed the habit on flush-decked performance multihulls that were frequently swept by waves. Some were pockets in the tramp.

I also like on-deck lashing points around the mast; and easy way to handle a big collection of halyards and reefing lines.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2010/05/scraps.html
http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/20...-upgrades.html

[ottos]

When convenient, I'll take the coil and hang it from a lifeline with a cow hitch, using the whole coil.

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