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Funny Boat Jokes: 63 Hilarious Jokes, Puns and One Liners

Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Whether you’re hoping to put a few smiles on the kids’ faces or if you were thinking to liven up that next boat party, it pays to come equipped with a few funny boat jokes.

But if your joke tank is running dry and your comic juices just aren’t flowing, then you can borrow a few of these tried and tested jokes to bring some smiles and sunshine to that next boating trip.

No-Fail Funny Boat Jokes

Lounging on a boat can get pretty quiet especially when lunch is finished and the sleepiness starts to settle in. But if you’re not looking for downtime and you want to keep things lively and loud, you could always toss a boat joke or two to spark some laughter.

Whether it’s for the kids or for the kids-at-heart, these no-fail jokes about boats should earn you a few laughs at your next boating get together.

• 1 Why did the vegetable cargo ship sink? It had leeks.
• 2 Did you hear about the successful boat business? I heard their sails were through the roof!
• 3 Why did the boat offend every other boat at the dock? It was because of his pent up anchor.
• 4 Hundreds of people lined up for the paddle sale at the boat shop. It was quite an oar deal.
• 5 Why was the sea upset at the shore? Because it never waves back.
• 6 What kind of boat will exchange money for your baby teeth? The Tooth Ferry.
• 7 Did you hear about the boat that turned into a party barge? They say he gave into pier pressure.
• 8 Where do sick boats go to get better? The dock, of course.
• 9 What is considered the world’s best and fastest bilge pump? A frightened man with a bucket.
• 10 Make sure you watch out for those new Bluetooth icebergs. I hear any ship that gets too close to one with sync.
• 11 How can you tell if you’re buying a boat at a good price? When there’s a sail.
• 12 What should you do to keep your boat in tip top shape? Give it a regular dose of vitamin sea, of course.
• 13 What does a pirate do when there’s too much junk and clutter on his boat? He has a yaaarrrd sale.
• 14 What’s the cheapest method of travel? By sail boat, of course.
• 15 Did you hear about the zombies that could swim? They say they came from the Dead Sea.
• 16 What is a sailor’s favorite detergent for washing clothes? Tide.
• 17 Did you hear about the sailor who failed his boating exam? Word is he got C-sick.
• 18 What do you call a broken boat in the middle of a storm? A hardship.
• 19 Did you know that Captain Hook only paid half when he got his hook? That’s because he bought it from the second hand store.
• 20 What do you call a boat that’s fully automated? A row-bot.
• 21 Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll never be around for the weekends anymore.
• 22 Why couldn’t the sailor distribute the cards for the card game? Because all hands were on the deck.
• 23 What do you use to tighten up loose, sagging parts of a boat? Boat-tox.
• 24 Did you hear about that amazing new nautical theme restaurant? I hear it’s pier-reviewed.
• 25 What do you call the boat that Jesus was on when he calmed the storm? A worship.

Funny Boat Jokes to Keep the Party Going

If you thought those were funny, then you might find these next jokes on a different level. Keep a few at the ready to lighten the mood and break out some laughter while you enjoy the sun and fun with your family and friends.

• 26 Did you hear about the fastest boat to have ever sailed? It was called the Usain Boat.
• 27 What did the sailor say when his crew was finally ready to set sail? It’s a-boat time!
• 28 What did the aspiring captain say to his boss? I’ll get my own boat schooner or later.
• 29 What did the one ocean say to the other ocean? Nothing, they just waved at each other.
• 30 What did the captain plead with Medusa when he accidentally looked her in the eye? Turn me into stone all you want but please, don’t rock the boat!
• 31 Why did pirates always fail their alphabet tests? Because they never leave C.
• 32 Why couldn’t the minor get in to watch the pirate movie? Because it was rated arrrr!
• 33 Why did no one like to sit with the lady at the back of the boat? She was very stern.
• 34 What did the empty boat say when he was asked why he wasn’t leaving the dock? “I haven’t got a crew.”
• 35 What did Bugs Bunny say when he arrived at the marina? “What’s up, dock!”
• 36 Why does everyone love boat stories? They always have a ferry tale ending.
• 37 What did the choking life vest say to the rescue ring after he performed the Heimlich? “You’re a real life saver!”
• 38 What did the deck say to the waves that came crashing on board? “Water you doing here!?”
• 39 Did you hear about the premier cruise for zombies? I heard their destination was the Dead Sea.
• 40 Why did the speed boat take double the time to get back as the rest of the boats? It decided to take the sea-nic route.
• 41 Why didn’t the boat’s band come back with the rest of the crew? They were Maroon 5.
• 42 Why didn’t they let the crew play the R18 film on the cruise? Because of censor-ship.
• 43 What did they say was the best cure for scurvy? Vitamin Sea!
• 44 Some of the cast of Friends were shipwrecked, but made it out alive. They say it was because Lisa Kudrow and David was a well-trained Schwimmer.
• 45 What did the captain say to the boat that was following his boat too closely? “Hey, stop sailgating me!”

The Best Boat Jokes

Still looking for a few more jokes to bring to your next trip? These funny boat jokes should keep you well-equipped for hours of endless laughter and fun while you soak up the salty situation.

• 46 If you ever need a custom boat built, let me know. I Noah guy who can help.
• 47 What did the boat say to the other boat after he beat him to the punchline a third time? “You’re such a keel joy.”
• 48 What did the canal say to the cargo boat that passed through uninvited? “You can’t just barge in like that!”
• 49 How did they label the boxes of snails that were loaded on the barge? S-cargo.
• 50 What did the ocean say to the sea after it added extra salt to its water? “Whatever floats your boat.”
• 51 Why didn’t they let the passenger purchase the extra rope on deck? Because it was knot for sail.
• 52 What’s the best way to enjoy a party on the waves? You sail-ebrate of course!
• 53 Why did the captain think twice about adding a faucet to his boat? He was afraid it would sink.
• 54 Did you hear about the cruise guest who tried talking to a Spanish cruise guest? He got lost at ‘si.’
• 55 What’s the most popular movie in all of underwater history? The Codfather.
• 56 What do you call housekeepers in Atlantis? Mermaids.
• 57 Did you hear about the pirate who got his first pair of piercings? They said it cost him a buck an ear.
• 58 What do you call the guy who attends to prospective customers at a boat dealership? A sails manager.
• 59 There are four cigarettes and three men on a boat, but they don’t have any way to light up their cigs. So what do they do? They toss one out to the water, and their boat instantly becomes a cigarette lighter.
• 60 What did one row boat say to the other after their candlelit dinner? “You are incredibly row-mantic!”
• 61 What did the husband say to his wife after she nagged him for spending the day fishing. “C’mon honey, I just wanted to seas the day!”
• 62 A person standing on a dock was startled by a man who was swimming through the water with his arms full of fishing gear. Frantic, he threw the gear on the dock shouting “Here, hold this!” He pointed back to the water to show his boat was almost completely sunk. As he threw his stuff to the man’s feet, he turned to swim back. “Where are you going?!” the man on the dock asked. “I’m going back for my wife!” he shouted.
• 63 “It’s pretty windy today, I think I’ll postpone my trip and head back home,” said no boater ever.

Just for Laughs

It’s always nice to have a few jokes at the ready to liven up your next boating trip. Make sure to keep a copy of these funny boat jokes with you for your next excursion, or chalk them up to memory so you can break the ice and keep the party going as you enjoy the wind, waves, and quality time with your family and friends.

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• Single Line Reefing

Is Single Line Reefing Right for Your Sailboat?

The single line reefing system is probably the easiest way to pull a reef in a mainsail and, providing the mainsail halyard and topping lift are led back to the cockpit, there's no need to clamber up to the mast to shorten sail.

But if the halyard and the topping lift are operated from the mast, then this is where the reefing pennant should terminate too.

On some boats the halyard is operated from the mast and the topping lift from the cockpit - which is just plain daft - but if this is the case it's best to keep the halyard and the reefing line in the same location, as you can deal with the topping lift before you leave the cockpit and when you return to it.

Clearly it makes a lot more sense to have everything all in the same place - either at the mast or in the cockpit - so you can deal with it on your own if you have to.

Pulling In a Slab with a Single Line Reefing System

It doesn't get much simpler than the external system shown here:~

• Ease the kicking strap, or vang as it's also known, then;
• Ease the mainsheet;
• Head up towards the wind;
• Take up on the topping lift to support the end of the boom;
• Release the halyard and drop the main by enough to pull in the reef;
• Pull in the reef and secure the reefing line;
• Tension halyard and secure;
• Ease the topping lift;
• Adjust course, trim sails - and it's job done!

Internal Systems

Some spar manufacturers incorporate single line systems  inside  the boom, which, although looking neater is:

• more expensive, and
• is difficult to repair when something breaks, and
• uses a two-part tackle which makes pulling a reef in easier, but
• the mechanical advantage works against you when letting a reef out.

There's only enough room inside the boom for the first two reef tackles, so the third reef - if there is one - has to be done with a  standard slab reefing arrangement .

This means that in the very worst conditions you'll have to go to the mast anyway!

I know some offshore sailors that use this system have just two deep slabs in the mainsail, and rely on the trysail when things get really unpleasant.

The trysail should have its own separate track and be kept bagged but ready for hoisting at the foot of the mast, as shown here. 

Any Questions?

What is the difference between single-line reefing and slab reefing?

The difference between single line reefing and slab reefing is that single-line reefing uses one line to pull down both the outboard and inboard reef cringles of the mainsail, while slab reefing uses two separate lines for each cringle.

Single-line reefing simplifies the reefing process and reduces the number of lines and hardware needed, but it also introduces more friction and tension in the system, which can make it harder to pull in or release the reefing line.

Slab reefing is more traditional and classic, and it allows for more precise adjustment of the luff and leech tension, but it also requires more steps and more lines to handle.

How do I convert the slab reefing system on my sailboat to a single-line mainsail reefing system?

To convert your yacht from slab to single line reefing, you will need to modify your existing reefing system by adding some blocks, sheaves and lines that will allow you to pull down both the outboard and inboard reef cringles with one line. The exact configuration may vary depending on your boom and mast layout, but the general steps are:

• Attach a block or sheave at the end of the boom that can redirect the reefing line from the outboard cringle to the inboard end of the boom;
• Attach another block or sheave at the inboard end of the boom that can redirect the reefing line from the boom to the inboard cringle;
• Attach a block or sheave at the base of the mast that can redirect the reefing line from the inboard cringle to the cockpit;
• Run a low-stretch rope from the cockpit cleat or winch, through the mast base block, through the inboard cringle, through the boom end block, through the outboard cringle, and back to the cockpit cleat or winch. This will be your single-line reefing line;
• Remove or disable any existing lines or hardware that were used for slab reefing, such as reefing pennants or hooks.

Some tips and considerations for converting to single-line reefing are:

• Make sure all blocks, sheaves and lines are sized appropriately for your sail area and load;
• Make sure all blocks, sheaves and lines are aligned properly and run smoothly without any twists or jams;
• Make sure all blocks, sheaves and lines are secured firmly to the boom, mast and deck using rivets, screws, washers or other suitable fasteners;
• Make sure you have enough slack in your halyard and topping lift to lower your sail to the desired reef point;
• Make sure you mark your halyard and reefing line with tape or markers to indicate where to stop for each reef point.

What are the Pros and Cons of single-line reefing?

Some of the advantages are:

• It reduces the number of lines and hardware needed for reefing;
• It eliminates the need to go to the mast or boom to secure the reef cringles;
• It simplifies the reefing process and reduces the risk of errors or jams;
• It allows for quick and easy adjustment of sail shape and balance.

Some of the disadvantages are:

• It produces more friction and tension than conventional reefing systems, which can make it harder to pull in or release the reefing line;
• It may not provide enough tension on the luff or leech of the sail, which can cause sagging or flapping;
• It may not work well with full-battened mainsails, which can interfere with the passage of the reefing line through the cringles.

How do I shake out a reef using a single-line reefing system?

To shake out a reef using a single-line reefing system, you need to:

• Ease off or release any vang, outhaul or mainsheet tension that may prevent you from lowering or raising your mainsail;
• Ease off or release the reefing line until both the outboard and inboard cringles are free from the boom. Cleat off or lock the reefing line;
• Raise the mainsail halyard until you reach a pre-marked point that corresponds to the original sail area or the next lower reef point;
• Re-tension the reefing line to remove any slack or wrinkles from the leech of the sail. Cleat off or lock the reefing line;
• Adjust the vang, outhaul and mainsheet as needed to trim and shape your full or partially reefed sail.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge,  we believe them to be accurate.

Read more about Reefing and Sail Handling...

Headsail Roller Reefing Systems Can Jam If Not Set Up Correctly

When headsail roller reefing systems jam there's usually just one reason for it. This is what it is, and here's how to prevent it from happening...

Is Jiffy Reefing the simplest way to reef your boat's mainsail?

Nothing beats the jiffy reefing system for simplicity and reliability. It may have lost some of its popularity due to expensive in mast and in boom reefing systems, but it still works!

Sailboat Running Rigging - Sheets, Halyards & Control Lines

There’s a huge amount of running rigging on a cruising sailboat. Do you really want all of it to lead back to the cockpit?

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Double Braids , sometimes called braid on braid, have a braided core within a braided outer jacket or cover. This creates a strong, durable, smooth-running line that is easy to handle. Double braids are used for the vast majority of all running rigging on sailboats including sheets, halyards and control lines for both cruising or racing. There are two types to consider: polyester double braids and high-tech double braids. Polyester double braids, found most commonly on recreational and cruising sailboats, have a polyester cover with polyester core. These are low maintenance, affordable, and long-lasting, while offering relatively low stretch and high working loads. For additional strength and minimal stretch, consider high-tech double braids. These lines typically feature a Dyneema or Spectra core (non-stretch) inside a polyester or polyester/dyneema blend cover for additional durability. They are more expensive but often the go to choice for high performance racing boats.

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Best Sailboats for One Person (With 9 Examples)

One of the most common challenges of sailing is finding the right boat to sail alone. Luckily, there are some good sailboats out there suited for one person. Let's take a look at them, and find out why they're especially good for single-handing.

In this article, I talk about single-handed sailing and look at the nine best sailboats for one person, ranging from small lake dinghies all the way to comfy cruisers capable of oceanic crossings.

Here are the best sailboats for solo sailing

Jeanneau Sunfast 3200

Beneteau oceanis 62, pacific seacraft flicka 20, tartan 3700, hunter channel 31, j boats 109.

Now let's look at them in detail so that you can choose the one best for you.

On this page:

What you need for short-handed sailing, features of a good single-handed boat.

Before talking about anything else, let's take a quick look at the features you want in a sailboat for short-handing (a fancy way of saying sailing alone ).

Scroll down to the list of sailboats here .

What to look for in a single-handed sailboat:

• Easy-to-operate sails
• Self-tacking jib
• Self-reefing sails
• Good autopilot

It's nice to have a team of friends, each with their own position within the crew, taking care of their specific thing. One behind the helm, one at the navigation, one trimming the mainsail, one taking care of the foresail, and an extra deckhand just to be sure. But if for whatever reason you want to sail on your own, you'll be the one to fill all those positions.

To make sure that it is physically possible and as easy as can be under the circumstances, start with a good boat choice. The idea is to pick a design that will be easy to operate with just one person available.

Now the good news is that since around 1990, many boat manufacturers have been focusing on ease of operation. That's just what the current market demand dictates. In other words, good single-handed sailboats aren't a rare find.

So what are the specific features to look for when sailing on your own? Let's clear a common misconception first - single-handed doesn't mean the boat has to be small.

Sure, small boats are easier to dock, and things tend to be within reach… but you will find large numbers of 70-footers that are designed as single-handed projects.

You can operate 100-footers on your own. Read all about it in our article What's the largest boat one person can operate?

Easily Operated Sails

A good start are sails that can be operated without much hassle. That doesn't necessarily mean being able to reach all the lines and winches from the helm. If you can, that's great, but if the boat has an autopilot, all you need is to be able to tweak the sails from the front of the cockpit.

Try to avoid setups where you'd have to walk to the mast to play with your sheets - not only it takes time but doing that in heavy winds, tall waves, on a boat that is healing, is a recipe for disaster that nobody is there to save you from.

When solo sailing, the ability to reef and tack quickly is important since those are oftentimes time-sensitive maneuvers. So self-tacking jibs would make your life way easier.

Individually Suitable Boat

The best test, though, is to take the boat out and try it out for yourself. A boat that handles easily in the hands of one person can be unmanageable in the hands of another.

A spinnaker pole might be a handful for the shorter folks, while a 6'2'' 200lbs bloke won't have issues with it.

But don't go around shopping with a 'must-have' checklist. Sometimes the boat is almost there, and all it needs is a little DIY technical push, like adding an extra jammer to the cockpit and running a reef line through it, or getting your hands on a windvane self-steering kit.

As somewhat touched upon before, manufacturers are trying to cater to the ease of use and since technology is going forward, what used to be a hi-tech racing equipment piece years ago, has now made its way into the affordable mainstream.

The canting keel is such an example, something you used to see on racing sailboats only, but now can be put on your average cruiser.

Autopilot Matters

An important part of solo sailing is a good autopilot, for obvious reasons. Luckily, nowadays, these are very reliable compared to what the standard used to be years ago in the cruiser world.

That being said, if you can get your hands on a boat with a proper below-the-deck autopilot with a gyrocompass, you will be much happier than with your average on-deck system, which does the job well, but when things get windier, it might become less reliable.

By the way, racing boats tend to be good solo sailing vessels—they are set up for efficiency. They feature more robust rigging and hulls that can withstand rough conditions and gusts better, and thus are more forgiving, without the necessity to tweak to detail.

I'm not saying that to necessarily have you look for racing boats for your short-handed trips, but rather so that you don't steer away from them on purpose, thinking they would be too much of a handful.

On deck, navigation is a big one too. Again, nothing to cry about if your boat of choice doesn't have one, as it can be easily solved with aftermarket solutions. Or an iPad with the proper app. But having to run below the deck to see where you are isn't the handiest of scenarios, especially in tricky situations.

If possible, consider investing in side thrusters. They can make maneuvering your boat infinitely easier, docking can turn from an unpleasant procedure to a relatively simple joystick play, and especially if you are on a bigger boat, you will appreciate this feature.

We haven't touched on the topic of interiors since it isn't as sensitive as a matter. But having plenty of handles to grab onto regardless of where you are is a good idea, since hitting your head and passing out is unpleasant with a crew, but potentially fatal without it.

To continue with the topic of safety, equipment and boat design aside, remember that you can't really afford mistakes you could make with friends on board. So make sure you have enough spots to clip your harness to, that the boat is sufficiently equipped with communication devices and that all the equipment works as it should.

So let's get specific. What are the nine boats that make great companions for solo sailors?

Let's start with the obvious one—a dinghy. It won't probably be your choice when crossing an ocean, but for practice or a fun day close to the shore, this is one hell of a boat. In comparison to its rivals in the same category, RS Aero is super light weighing 66 lbs. It is among the most technologically advanced sailing dinghies designed specifically for one person.

All of this comes for a price though - 10 000 to over 15 000 USD. You will be getting your money's worth for sure though. An enormous amount of hi-tech work went into this project, and you'd be buying a design that won more awards than could fit on its 13-foot body.

This is a big step up from a dinghy, while still keeping things very simple. It is a lightweight boat, originally designed for a transatlantic race. Thanks to that and its small size, it is easy to handle, the racing pedigree shows in the efficient layout, so everything is within reach. Despite its smaller size, it can reach speeds you would expect of much larger boats.

You can find small family cruisers of the same size, but don't let that fool you. This is very much a Spartan sailboat. Inside, you won't find much more than the bare necessities - two aft cabins, curtains instead of doors, simple seating, not much lining or wood, just a notch above barebones interiors. You get a toilet though, a chart table and a galley as well as much stowage. But you will be reminded of being on a racer, because unless you are shorter than 5'7'', you won't be able to stand up straight.

As mentioned, this boat was designed for a cross-ocean race, so it is a seaworthy bluewater mate that should be able to take you more or less wherever you want to.

Time to go big. As previously mentioned, solo sailing doesn't mean you have to stick to smaller sizes. Why? Because it is a trend now. Even though just some ten years ago, the situation was vastly different, these days, single-handed 60+ footers aren't anything rare.

So why this Beneteau? Well, for one, to meet the new kinds of market demand, it was designed for ease of use, meaning it can be successfully operated by a single person. I don't know what you'd do alone with all that space, but if you want to enjoy oceanic solitude while not giving up the luxuries of having space the size of a family apartment, you can.

And while there are more boats of this size suited for short-handed sailing, like the larger Jeanneaus, Hanses, or even Bavarias, the Oceanis 62 can be yours for around 600 000 EUR new, which is a figure unheard of in that size and quality range up until relatively recently.

This is not the first time I am mentioning this boat in an article, and no wonder, it has so much character! Like others in this list, this one has been designed for single-handed sailing - it had to be. You couldn't fit two people on it comfortably anyway.

So aside from its solo capabilities, why does it deserve to be on the list? Well, it's towable, which you could say about the RS Aero too, but you can actually live on a Flicka, and it is seaworthy. It is about as small as you can go while still being able to cross oceans.

There is no question about everything being within the hand's reach on this one. Ergonomics almost don't matter at this size. Given its towability, the fact that you can park it in your garden, and its short-handed potential makes for the perfect spontaneous getaway mobile.

Another boat you can live on. It is a seaworthy ocean crosser, and thanks to its setup and a self-tacking jib, it is a proper short-handed boat. It also has quite a wide beam, thanks to which you'll get additional stability, further supporting comfort when operating it solo. It is made by a brand that proved its worth over time, as since the 70s, it is still going strong. It's comfortable enough for long distances, with a spacious salon, shower, and space for a small family.

Used, you can get one starting around 150 000 USD, which is one of the reasons why it belongs on this list - if you are serious about solo sailing and want a proper boat without compromises that come with smaller sizes or sportiness, this one is within a reasonable reach. Among the affordable, high-quality, short-handed sailing cruisers, Tartan 3700 has its definite place.

This is the kind of boat I was talking about when I mentioned that formerly racing design aspects started to make it into the cruising world. Hunter started as a racer builder and then shifted to cruisers, while, of course, taking its know-how with them, which makes for boats that are easy to operate, also well-performing ones.

This specific model got on the list because of its low center of gravity, high ballast ratio, and stable hull, which means you won't have to trim the sails all the time to go fast. And less work is always welcome if you are the only person to do all of it.

Another reason it's gotta be here is it is very efficient layout, self-tacking jib, and single-line mainsail reefing system—a smart choice for solo sailors.

If you like what you saw in Hunter Channel 31, but fancy something a bit faster, with a higher quality build, this one's what you want. It has lost much of its sportiness as it is too heavy to be thought of as a proper performance boat today, but in the worst-case scenario, it is a quick cruiser capable of satisfying sprints.

It was designed for single-handed sailing as well as for full crewed racing, so if you want to push as much as you can out of it with a team of your mates, you can, while knowing you will be able to cruise at a good pace when they leave.

So unless you mind the slightly higher price tag, which comes with the high build and components quality, as well as the less generous interior fanciness usually seen in racers, you've found yourself a boat.

The best thing about solo sailing is also the most dangerous thing about it - you will be alone. So you want your boat to be your buddy - forgiving as much as can be, having your back. Amel 60 is such a boat. It has watertight bulkheads, so it is hardly sinkable, its cockpit has a solid roof and windows, so no matter the weather, you'll be protected while behind the helm, it has a stable hull, offering support even in tricky weather, it features electric winches, so you can operate the sails without even touching a line…

...and inside, you get more space and luxury than you could wish for, including a washing machine. All in all, if there is a boat that's got your back even if your skill level isn't the greatest, it is Amel 60. All it wants from you is to be ok with the 1.5 million USD price tag.

Have you seen the film "All Is Lost"? An incredible project without dialogue, where a solo sailor on a Cal 39 makes his way through an ocean. Now, what makes Cal 39 such a great boat for solo sailing? As it turns out, nothing in particular. It wasn't designed with this in mind. It isn't even a notably successful model - though that's mostly due to technical circumstances rather than a lack of quality.

And that's why it must be on this list. To represent all the boats that aren't single-handed projects by design, but make it possible, if you get to know the boat, spend some time with it, and, as mentioned at the very beginning of this article, tweak it so that it makes solo sailing easier.

By this, I want to encourage you to get into solo sailing, even if you lack a sailboat that is specifically made for a one-person crew. Quite a few single-handed passages have been done on boats that wouldn't make it to this list because technically, they don't fit the profile. But they were made to be, either with tweaks or with skills. Be honest to yourself regarding your skill level, the boat design, and if it passes the test, go for it.

Happy sailing!

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Sailboat Running Rigging

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Rope Types For Sailors (AKA Sailing Line)

Ask any sailor, “What’s this rope used for,” and they will promptly correct you and tell you in the most condescending voice they can muster, “it's a line.”

There are no ropes on a sailboat. A rope is a line without a purpose. The second it is cut off the bolt it becomes a line regardless of its type or function. So before we say another word about “rope” let’s get our verbiage straight - its a line.

Now that we have that figured out, the question of which line is good for which application and which line is best for sailing becomes clear as mud.

The truth is, a novice sailor can step on a dinghy and become overwhelmed by the number and types of lines used to make a sailboat move.

And that is exactly what they do. They make a boat move.

Without a halyard, the main would flop lifelessly to the deck. Without a jib sheet, the jib would flail wildly on the forestay.

But lines on a sailboat go so much farther than sheets and halyards, and in some cases it can get so complicated that one must label each block and cleat with color coded stickers so as to not get confused.

A worn out, frayed line can make the prettiest of sailboats look like a hoopty. Lines should be crisp and bright and give a boat pop and function.

Shoddy lines and worse yet, shoddy line handling, can expose a weekend warrior from a seasoned salt without so much as uttering a word.

Table of contents

There are no ropes on a sailboat. A rope is a line without a purpose. The second it is cut off the bolt it becomes a line regardless of its type or function. So before we say another word about “rope” let’s get our verbiage straight- its a line.

The Flemish Flake

While one’s mind immediately flashes to big colorful spinnakers and pristine white sails set on an azure blue sea, some of the most important lines for any boat, but the most important for a sailboat, are dock lines.

They come in three flavors, “three-strand”, “braided” and polypropylene, though you prove yourself to be a true dolt if anyone catches you using a polypropylene line on your sailboat.

The Polypropylene is the goto for tow boats and wake boarders alike, because it is low stretch, floats and is cheap to buy.

Most sailboaters would rather be caught dead than use a polyline on their boat, but some of the best floating mooring pennants are made of poly and they are decidedly not cheap at all. But for our purposes, let's focus on three strand and braided.

Three Strand

Three strand is the standard for anchoring or docking because it stretches quite well or more to the point it “bounces”. The three strands give it the ability to stretch as much as 60% of its length before breaking and because of that it is a good shock absorber to tie to non-pliable objects like the dock and the ground.

Braided Line

Braided line is also very common for dock lines and it gets its strength from the fact that it has many strands all braided together. I prefer three-strand to braided for the simple fact that even fumbling DIYers like me can weave a sturdy eye splice into three-strand. Braided line is spliceable but requires a much more committed approach to splicing and unusually must be spliced by machine, something that is beyond me.

But whether you are a braided guy or a three strand girl, here's the one thing that will show you to be a tourist in the boating world before you ever get to say a word. “The Flemish flake.”

Go down any dock in America and you will see at least one flemish flake neatly spun into a coil at the foot of someone’s boat. The truth is, it is entirely gauche and quite frankly bad for the line. Unless your line is flaked neatly on top of a spic and span newly varnished deck sitting in the middle of the Annapolis Sailboat Show, it shouldn’t be flemish flaked.

The line will not dry out and all too often leaves stains wherever it is flaked. Whether on your foredeck or your dock, it acquires dirt and regardless of how bad it is for your line, it is also bad form. So don’t do it.

Is it really just a line?

Lines and line work put sailboats into a higher echelon than working boats or power boats. They are very functional when sailing, but they also are the thing that makes your eye jump and your mind get mentally erect when looking at a pretty vessel. Even a landlubber who has never seen a main unfurled can walk down a dock and say, “my that’s a pretty sailboat” I would argue like properly accessorised bling on a young ladies neck, so to do lines adorn a pretty boat.

Lines, neatly coiled, hanging authoritatively from the mast or boom have always made my heart flutter and that was before I ever knew the difference between an outhaul and a cunningham. The many colors they come in, the different sizes and the many uses make the boat seem like a high tech Christmas tree to the untrained eye. But once you know what each and every line does on a boat, I assure, it gets even better.

There are two functions for lines on a sailboat, halyards and sheets. Halyards raise and lower sails while sheets haul them in and trim them for navigational purposes. These two functions are universal from the tiny little Opti to the USS Constitution. All sailboats, regardless of size, have sheets and halyards. But for our purposes let us stop there with one main halyard and one jib halyard. One main sheet and one jib sheet.

If you bought a sailboat from a manufacturer, they will likely have already picked out the right size and color lines for your boat, but if you buy a second hand version, you will likely have to buy new ones at some point. They should be different colors to avoid confusion, blue fleck for the main halyard, green fleck for the jib sheets , blue with white fleck for the mainsheet and white with green fleck for the jib sheets. But you can get whatever you like. You just have to make sure it jives with mast blocks, jam cleats and any other tackle you might have on your boat. The big thing is to get lines that feel good in your hand. Skinny lines can chaffe a tender paw in seconds and a bigger line, while more expensive, is worth it when you are beating your way to windward and have to make a sail change.

But oh that is where the lines just begin. Outhauls and downhauls, roller furlers and reefing lines. Topsail lifts and boom stays. There are literally hundreds of kinds of lines you can have on a sailboat and that doesn’t even include the spinnaker gear. ‍ And they all cost lots of money because they are sailing lines. That means they are low stretch and designed by professionals to pull on stuff in a really cool way and look good doing it.

‍ If you want to check out all the options that are out there, go to New England Ropes  and shop their website. They literally have every kind of line you could need for your boat from dock lines to spectra and would be more than happy to sell you a whole bunch of it.

The GoodWill of Sailing

If you want to put diamonds on your best girl, then who am I to judge. But just in case your sailboat is more of the cubic zirconia type of girl, there are options.

Used lines are to be found everywhere. Dumpster diving at the yacht club or bin digging at the boat consignment shop. Many a great deal can be found by digging through old garage sails by the sea and you never know what you can find. Old dock lines, used halyards even the odd semi consumed bolt of spectra has been found by the industrious yard saler sailors.

But if dumpster diving isn’t your thing, there is always the internet. Ebay, Amazon and other online marketplaces have tons of used lines and line remnants for sail. Just make sure that the line you are buying is the same size and will replace the length you need replaced. You can also get all kinds of blocks, tackle and other boat parts, but lines can be really expensive so save what you can where you can, right?

How do I care for the line?

Lines get dirty, salty, sandy, moldy and otherwise very yucky. Every season you should make it your policy to clean your lines thoroughly with lots of fresh water and a very gentle soap like “Dawn”.

Just like your sails, (if you missed that article check it out here) , you should never put anything on your lines that you would not put on your child’s hands. Bleach, harsh marine chemicals and solvents can break down the lines and make them brittle and melted.

Also let them dry in the sun after you wash them and never stow a wet line below decks. It’ll mold in a matter of hours.

And speaking of melted, if you notice the bitter end of your lines coming loose or fraying, get on that immediately to save the rest of your line. I like to wrap the end with duct tape, (the crazier the color the better so everyone knows it's your line) and melt the end with a line gun or a lighter. This works on braided, three strand and spectra and if you catch it quick you can save the line. But once it starts to unravel, it’s like putting ketchup back in the bottle. You could also use liquid whipping to finish the end of your line or use an actual whipping line and sail palm to finish your ends. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure that your ends are tight. Spectra loses its sheathing and exposes its coring very easily and three strand unravels just as bad.

How to replace a halyard

If you do decide to replace your lines, halyards can be quite a challenge. I hate heights and while I have climbed my mast to fix a flown halyard, it is not very fun. It gets even harder when you have an internal halyard in your mast or a boat that is a bit too small to climb. This yet another application where a sail palm can be helpful.

Put your old halyard end to end with your new halyard. Take a sailing needle and 3 feet of whipping line and sew the two ends together a few times with loops though the bitter end of each line a few times. Then tighten those loops with a half dozen wraps and tie the line off. That should hold the two lines together so you can pull the new halyard through the mast head without it breaking apart and you flying the halyard.

Another strategy you can try that doesn’t involve dropping the mast or climbing it with a bosun's chair, is moving your boat to a dock or bridge that is high enough where you can tip the boat and reach the mast. In my home town we had the benefit of a six foot tide and some really high docks at the low tide. I used to bring my fleet of idea 18s and my other small keelboats into the dock at low tide to do masthead work on them because there was no way I was going to let my well-fed carcass get hauled up those masts. We had to wait for a low tide and a calm morning, (this was hell to pull off on a choppy afternoon with boat traffic), but a quick tip of the boat was a ton easier than dropping the mast for a skied halyard.

And one more note on wire line splices. For a period there in the last century it was all the rage to use wire line spliced halyards on keel boats . The idea was that if you had wire, it wouldn’t stretch and would keep you sails tighter for racing conditions. The problem with them is as they got older, the rope part got dry rotted and cruddy and the wire frayed into fish hooks that could rip right through a sailing glove. The new spectra has made wire line splices a thing of the past, but if you have an older boat and still have wire line splices you really should consider changing them out. Odds are you will have to change the sheaves in the blocks of your mast head but that's a lot better than taking a fish hook to the palm of your hand or unexpectedly dropping the mainsail.

So that’s a wrap (a line joke). Lines can be a thing of beauty or a pain in the neck. Keep them clean and make sure you dry them thoroughly before stowing them or (God forbid) flemish flaking them on your boat. There are lots of options if you can’t afford to buy a full suit of brand news lines for your favorite lady, but there are great deals to be found online and at tag sales. The good folks at New England Ropes can talk you through most of your line questions and I would recommend chatting with your local sailing retailer if you are thinking about investing in some new lines. And please, never forget, a rope has no purpose, but a new line can dress up the ugliest of old boats. Thanks for reading and remember, do good, have fun and sail far.

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Capt Chris German

Capt Chris German is a life long sailor and licensed captain who has taught thousands to sail over the last 20 years. In 2007, he founded a US Sailing-based community sailing school in Bridgeport, CT for inner city youth and families. When Hurricane Sandy forced him to abandon those efforts, he moved to North Carolina where he set out to share this love for broadcasting and sailing with a growing web-based television audience through The Charted Life Television Network.

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