Knots

A knowledge of lines (ropes), cables and chains is mandatory for a skipper of any vessel. Knots on the average will reduce the strength of a line by about 50%, a splice reduces the strength by around 10%. Lines of different materials, weaves and diameters will have different characteristics and strengths. Basic properties and knots are discussed in the US SAILING Keelboat Course at http://www.sailingusa.info/sailing_knots.htm and line strength at http://www.sailingusa.info/working_strains.htm. Below are a few basic and more advanced knots for you to learn.

Basic Knots

  • Cleat Hitch :  Secure a line to a Deck Cleat (tying docklines, anchor lines, mooring pennant).

  • Round Turn & Two Half Hitches :  This knot is used to ties a line to a pole (tying fenders, tying docklines to pilings and rings)
     

  • Clove Hitch :  This knot is used to tie a line to a post or a piling. When used with two half hitches it resists sideways sliding better than a round turn.

  • Sheet Bend :  This knot is used to bend or tie two lines of equal or slightly different sizes together.

  • Bowline :  This knot is used to place a secure loop in the end of a line. A bowline will work loose with time and should not be used in fastening an anchor line to an anchor.
  • Bowline :  This knot is used to tie a line around one's waist.

  • Square Knot :  An easily untied knot used to tie the ends of two lines together. Best used as a binding knot where it is under a constant tension.

  • Figure Eight :  This knot is used as a stopper knot.

Advanced Knots

    

  • Anchor Bend or Fisherman's Bend :  A more secure knot for fastening a line to a loop such as on an anchor or a fish hook.
  • Doubled Sheet Bend : A more secure knot for bending two lines together.

  • Bowline on a Bight : This knot is used to make a pair of fixed loops in the middle or at the end of a line. This is a strong knot and can be used in overboard rescue, as a towing bridle and in a pinch, even to make a boatswain's chair to be used to ascend the mast.
     

  • Carrick Bend :  This knot is also called a "Sailor's Knot" and can be used for bending two heavy lines (e.g., towing hawsers and cables) together. 

  • Rolling Hitch :  This hitch is used to attach a non-slip loop to a pole or another line such as a tow line. When tied back around its own standing part as shown here, it can be used as a adjustable loop and called a Taut Line Hitch.