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Apprentice Knots

A few things you need to know about rope and knots

All rope aboard a vessel is referred to as line unless it has a specific name such as a halyard, sheet, hawser, etc.
Generally, rope is made from three materials - vegetable fibers, synthetic fibers, and wire.
Rope sizes are sometimes measured by circumference, but the diameter is more commonly used.
The minimum safe tensile strength under normal conditions is 5 times the weight of the object attached to the rope.
Old time seamen make quite a point of the difference between a knot, a hitch, and a bend.
A knot is used to close or stopper something. (reef knot, overhand knot, etc.)
A hitch is used to attach a line to an object. (clove hitch, rolling hitch, etc.)
A bend is used to connect two pieces of rope. (sheet bend, carrick bend, etc.)
Over the years these definitions have become blurred and the general term "knot" is commonly used today.
The end of a rope is what you work with in tying a knot. (if passing through a block, it is called the fall)
The standing part is the long unused or belayed end of a rope.
The bight is the loop or half loop formed by turning the rope back on itself.
An overhand loop is made by passing the end over the standing part.
An underhand loop is made by passing the end under the standing part.
A turn is one loop around and object, such as a pile.
A round turn is two loops around an object.
There are three additional points to remember in knot tying:
  1. Every knot requires passing rope either over or under itself or both. If this is not done carefully, the wrong knot, or no knot at all will result.
  2. A knot must be tightened slowly and evenly with all elements of the knot in proper relationship. If this is not done, an embarrassing snarl may result.
  3. In joining two lengths of rope, you can reduce the rope's strength by 50% by using a knot. A well made splice, however, will retain about 90% of the ropes strength. Therefore, a carefully made splice is preferable to a knot, when strength is important.
Click on image of knot for animation of how to tie it
Click For animation

Square or Reef Knot

This knot is used to tie the reef points when reefing a sail. The knot is often tied as a slipped hitch to permit a rapid release. Never use this knot to bend two lines. It would be unreliable. Unless this knot is tied carefully, you will end up with a useless granny knot.
Click for Animation

Bowline

This has been called the king of knots. Nothing can jam it. It will never slip if properly made. It can be tied in the hand and dropped over a cleat, bitt, or piling or formed around a mooring ring.

To tie a bowline, make an overhand loop with end held towards you, pass the end under and up through the loop, then behind the standing part and down through the loop again, adjust the bight carefully, and draw tight.

This is a knot you can both trust and be proud of. By the way, the bowline as a knot has no connection with bow line used to tie up the bow of your boat. The bowline was first described by Thomas Bowling. In usage, "Bowling's knot" became the "bowline".


Click for Animation

Clove Hitch

The clove hitch is a simple, handy way to fasten a rope temporarily around a pile or spar.

To tie a clove hitch, take a turn around the object, bringing the end of the rope over itself from below; then take a second turn with the end under itself.

This knot consists of two half hitches in opposite directions.


Click for Animation

Sheet Bend

This is used for securing a small rope to the bight of a larger rope. It is very much like the bowline, but uses two ropes rather than one.

To tie a sheet bend, make an overhand loop with the end of one rope; pass the end of the other rope under and up through this loop, behind the first loop's standing part and down through the loop again.


Click for Animation

Two Half Hitches

This is a quick and very reliable knot employed when making lines fast to a mooring.

To tie, make a half hitch and then add another next to it. Additional hitches will add strength.


Figure Eight Knot

This knot is easily tied and gentle to fiber.It is the best knot for keeping a rope from running through a fairlead or block.

To make this knot, make an underhand loop, then bring the end around and over the standing part, under and up though the loop.


Cleat Hitch

This knot is used to secure a line to a cleat on a dock or the deck of a vessel.


Heaving Line

Proper heaving of a docking line separates the experienced boatman from the novice. The novice often coils the line wrong, and the end usually falls short of its mark. A few preparations and practice will give you the ability to handle a line properly. There are four things to remember.

  1. The Line must be considerably than the distance it is to be thrown or it will probably fall short of the target.
  2. The line must be coiled carefully and evenly with the draw of the loops toward the free end; the loops should be smaller than those made for other purposes.
  3. Hold the shipboard end of the line in one hand and the coil to be thrown in the other.
  4. The coil must be thrown properly- in an underhand motion with a strong, swinging motion. Release it when the arm is well above the shoulders and at not to great a distance. Always aim at the head and shoulders of the person receiving it. Otherwise, the throw is apt to be low. If necessary, a weight can be used to help carry the line a greater distance, but in small-boat handling this is seldom necessary.
 
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Page last updated 03/29/06
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