to take the load. It goes between the chain and anchor line. So, it would be anchor, chain, shock cord, anchor line, dinghy, dinghy painter, then the dock. My shock cord has been on the boat for years and I have never done anything special to preserve it other then to keep it out of the sun. It never gets rinsed off or cleaned other then a wash with salt water to get the sand off. Once I was a bit worried when the anchor got stuck on something but I was able to work it free without having to get in the water so it's all good. Don't over think this. Remember, it's just a dinghy anchor that usually is dropped in 10 feet or less so you can do some swimming in some deserted cove or something. Dinghy docks are never very deep and with a dinghy you"re only talking less then 200 pounds at the outside. The outer nylon cover of the cord can take a pretty good load and remember, it's 200 pounds max on one end and what ever it takes to break out a 3 lb. anchor out of the bottom on the other.