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knots

6K views 57 replies 21 participants last post by  sailingdog 
#1 ·
In another thread a poster mentioned that he keeps loose line in his sailing shorts not only in case he needs a tie-down quickly but because he can practice knots on them.

It got me thinking that it would be a great idea for me because my knot tying repertoire is horrendous. With few exceptions such as hitches on fenders and bowlines on jib sheets, I basically tie "not-a-knots" on everything which is just a version of the shoelace tie with some fancy bends thrown in so my friends can marvel at my sailing knowledge.

How many of you are proficient at knots and what knots other than hitches and bowlines do you recommend?

Can I live the rest of my sailing life tying not-a-knots?
 
#39 ·
A fun knot to learn is the "Flying Bowline" - also known as the tugboat bowline. It's actually quite easy, once you've seen it done. It's called the flying bowline because it (more or less) finishes tying itself as you throw it. I can tie the thing - but only for demonstrating purposes. Trying to tie one while heading into a slip , it always collides with something and I just end up embarrassed.

Also, one of the things I've noticed - a lot - is that many people incorrectly tie a cleat hitch. It is important to go to the far side of the cleat first - not the near side. If you go to the near side first, it ends up wedging and jamming as soon as it is put under tension. (This is why so many cleats are placed at an angle to the fairlead. When they're directly in line - I am suspicious of the boat builder or designer - what else doesn't he know?)
 
#42 ·
Alden-

That isn't quite the way I frap a line, but it was the best illustration of a frapped coil of line that I could find. :)
 
#43 ·
Most ships do not carry cleats for one. Bitts, while far larger, are much eaier to use and make for a much more secure line. Research has been done on securing synthetic lines to bitts and, due to their tremendous amount of contact area with the line, it's highly recommended that two full round turns around both heads of the bitt be taken before finishing off with figure eights. No locking turn is ever taken or needed for that matter (all it can do is cause trouble later). The round turns have less contact with the two bitts and therefore produce less friction as the line works on the bitts. Where this really manifests itself is upon releasing the line. If you've figure eighted the entire way you'll find that the line will have fused a small amount to the bitts. You have to remove almost all turns before the line will break loose, often resulting in loss of control of a loaded line and possible injury. With the two round turns you are able to remove the figure eights and easily surge the line while maintaining control. That the majority of the load while secured is taken by the two round turns also results in less damage to the line versus securing with figure eights only.

Given the relative smallness of cleats and bitts fitted to sailboats I see no real problem with a locking figure eight to cap off the line's securing. It adds no extra grip to the hitch but it does allow for deck traffic and wind that are more of a factor in the hitch coming adrift from the top down on a sailboat. if the locking turn is going to take a strain and bind up, making it difficult to release, I'd submit that the cleats are of inadequate size. Which just about describes most boats, right? (g)
 
#48 ·
Gosh I make one casual mention of carrying around line in my shorts to practice knots with and five pages of comments from ice cream to bitts.

Incidently, I can tie a bowline, granny, off hand, cleat hitch, and my shoes. Years of boy scout, US Navy and sailing have paid off. I really really suck at knots, hence the line in my pocket.
 
#50 ·
I just get creative when I'm tying something... :D I have 3 books on knots which are as useless as books to learn sailing...
 
#51 ·
It generally doesn't make sense to get "creative" when trying to tie a knot. Using a known knot means that you'll have repeatable results and fairly consistent performance from the knot. If you're being creative, sometimes it holds, sometimes it doesn't...
 
#56 ·
So what's wrong with shackles instead of larks heads or bowlines. The obvious objection to 1/4 metal objects flying around aside ( a dip in liquid rubber, and not being forward during flailing periods fixes that) isn't that actually better, a slimmer 'connection' to the clew so it gets hung up on the shrouds during a tack etc..
 
#58 ·
Umm...if you ever have to go forward and try and tame a flogging genny...you'll regret having a shackle on the clew. That turns it from an annoyance which leaves bruises to a deadly weapon that can crack your skull open.

The Larkshead doesn't really present anything to hang up on the shrouds, but requires you to have one long sheet. If you switch headsails, the larkshead is a lot more of a PITA than two bowlines.
 
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