It's also useful for dinghy applications. When selecting the proper-length dockline for your boat, it's better to have lines that are too long than too short. Always have extra lines on hand. Any knot or splice in a line is its weakest point, so two lines tied together are weaker than a single, continuous line. Lauderdale recommends lines that are at least half the length of the boat for bow and stern lines and the full length of the boat for spring lines.
Strength is stated in both working load and tensile strength.
To prevent this chafing from weakening and eventually destroying a line, a variety of chafe guards are available. Inspect your lines for cuts and abrasion. Wash them with water and a mild detergent. Put them away dry and coil them to avoid kinks. Hanging them where there is plenty of airflow is much better than storing them in a heap.