Chafe is the term used to describe when two or more parts rub together causing friction or wear. Often times chafe is obvious, like when the action of the boat bobbing up and down at the dock wears a section of line running through a chock or fairlead. The first indications may be some localized fraying and fuzziness to the covering or exposed strands. But over time, if left unchecked, the strands may wear through, which in turn puts more stress on underlying adjacent fibers until these too fail, eventually leading to a total failure of the line.

It is essential that boaters not only recognize the signs of chafe but also are aware of the factors that lead to chafe occurring in the first place. They must also educate themselves on what can be done to reduce undue stress and chafeinduced wear.

Chafe is not only caused by lines rubbing on other objects but can also be caused by two lines rubbing together, such as a couple of spring lines crisscrossed between boat and dock. What owners may less understand is that a single line can be chafed internally. As tension is exerted on a line the yarns rub together and chafe each other. Some manufacturers add dressing to the rope’s fibers to help mitigate this friction, but salt crystals and dirt trapped in the line greatly increase the effects of internal friction.

There are literally thousands of scenarios where chafe can occur. The graphic shows but a few typical examples of what to be on the lookout for.