Difference between revisions of "Knots"

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Learning how to tie knots and handle rope properly are essential skills to safe boating.  Generally speaking, a good knot not only holds whatever it is designed to, but is also easy to untie.  Knots on top of knots on top of knots, shows a lack of confidence that the original knot will hold.  There are thousands of knots, and it can seem overwhelmingHowever, you need learn only a few knots to drastically improve your abilities on the water.  Sailors will disagree over which knots are "best" to learn, but these are reasonable choices and learning them well will drastically improve your capabilities on the water.  Many of them are also useful for other outdoor activities, such as hiking, climbing, and camping, so you will likely be able to use them outside of Ephemerisle.   
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Learning how to tie knots and handle rope properly are essential skills to safe boating.  Generally speaking, a good knot not only holds whatever it is designed to, but is also easy to untie.  While tying additional knots will often secure the line, tying knots that can't be undone easily is not safe, as sometimes boats must be moved in a hurry.   
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You need learn only a few knots to drastically improve your abilities on the water.  Sailors will disagree over which knots are "best" to learn, but the knots below are reasonable choices and learning them well will drastically improve your capabilities on the water.  Many of them are also useful for other outdoor activities, such as hiking, climbing, and camping, so you will likely be able to use them outside of Ephemerisle.   
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== Everyone should know these ==  
 
== Everyone should know these ==  
  
* [https://www.animatedknots.com/terminology.php Rope terminology] - What is a bight?  What is the difference between a bend and a hitch?  There is a vocabulary to knots and ropework--learning it will help you understand tutorials.
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* [https://www.animatedknots.com/terminology.php Rope terminology] - What is a bight?  What is the difference between a bend and a hitch?  There is a vocabulary to knots and ropework--learning it will help you understand tutorials, and communicate precisely when training others.
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7XGTIcQImQ Cleat Hitch] - Used for attaching anchors rodes or dock lines to a cleat.   
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7XGTIcQImQ Cleat Hitch] - Used for attaching anchors rodes or dock lines to a cleat.   
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_CwsRKZOJE Bowline] - Forms a loop which holds perfectly, yet unties easily even after being under load.
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_CwsRKZOJE Bowline] - Forms a loop which holds perfectly, yet unties easily even after being under load.
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* [https://www.animatedknots.com/doubleoverhand/index.php Double Overhand Stopper Knot] -  Stopper knot used to prevent the end of a line from slipping through a block.  It is also an element of the Double Fisherman's Knot, which is commonly used to tie two ropes together (see below).   
 
* [https://www.animatedknots.com/doubleoverhand/index.php Double Overhand Stopper Knot] -  Stopper knot used to prevent the end of a line from slipping through a block.  It is also an element of the Double Fisherman's Knot, which is commonly used to tie two ropes together (see below).   
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UjBGZu7UQg Slipped Buntline Hitch] - A good temporary knot which will hold, but comes undone with one pull.  Useful for temporarily tying up a dinghy or a kayak.  
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UjBGZu7UQg Slipped Buntline Hitch] - A good temporary knot which will hold, but comes undone with one pull.  Useful for temporarily tying up a dinghy or a kayak.  
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsEu-jPOXY Clove Hitch] - A temporary knot used to tie and adjust fenders. 
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmT4GMQXeYY Butterfly Coil] - An improperly coiled rope will knot and tangle, making it difficult or impossible to deploy when needed.  The butterfly coil is one method of of coiling rope without twists/knots.  If you have a very long rope, or limited arm strength, you can [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfvioMwTVUo butterfly coil the rope over your neck], instead of your arm.
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmT4GMQXeYY Butterfly Coil] - An improperly coiled rope will knot and tangle, making it difficult or impossible to deploy when needed.  The butterfly coil is one method of of coiling rope without twists/knots.  If you have a very long rope, or limited arm strength, you can [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfvioMwTVUo butterfly coil the rope over your neck], instead of your arm.
  
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkepmm-5pNQ Trucker's Hitch] - To tightly ratchet down a line around cargo (such as a backpack, kayak, etc.)
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkepmm-5pNQ Trucker's Hitch] - To tightly ratchet down a line around cargo (such as a backpack, kayak, etc.)
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6oJwedcb18&t=5s Double Fisherman's Knot] - A good way of attaching two lines together
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6oJwedcb18&t=5s Double Fisherman's Knot] - A good way of attaching two lines together
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stSVqdQFtfs Icicle Hitch]- A gripping hitch.  Can be used to relieve or distribute pressure on an anchor line, or to tie off a line to a post, or railing.  [https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/35_8/features/Gripping-Hitches_5815-1.html Practical Sailor tests] found it to be better than other gripping hitches, such as the rolling hitch.
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stSVqdQFtfs Icicle Hitch]- A gripping hitch.  Can be used to relieve or distribute pressure on an anchor line, or to tie off a line securely to a post, or railing.  [https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/35_8/features/Gripping-Hitches_5815-1.html Practical Sailor tests] found it to be better than other gripping hitches, such as the rolling hitch.
  
  
 
Additional boating knots are listed on [http://www.animatedknots.com/indexboating.php Animated Knots].  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI0GO86KmsQ&t=3s 5 Essential Sailing Knots] shows how to use some of them in practice.
 
Additional boating knots are listed on [http://www.animatedknots.com/indexboating.php Animated Knots].  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI0GO86KmsQ&t=3s 5 Essential Sailing Knots] shows how to use some of them in practice.

Revision as of 13:54, 28 July 2017

Learning how to tie knots and handle rope properly are essential skills to safe boating. Generally speaking, a good knot not only holds whatever it is designed to, but is also easy to untie. While tying additional knots will often secure the line, tying knots that can't be undone easily is not safe, as sometimes boats must be moved in a hurry.

You need learn only a few knots to drastically improve your abilities on the water. Sailors will disagree over which knots are "best" to learn, but the knots below are reasonable choices and learning them well will drastically improve your capabilities on the water. Many of them are also useful for other outdoor activities, such as hiking, climbing, and camping, so you will likely be able to use them outside of Ephemerisle.


Everyone should know these

  • Rope terminology - What is a bight? What is the difference between a bend and a hitch? There is a vocabulary to knots and ropework--learning it will help you understand tutorials, and communicate precisely when training others.
  • Cleat Hitch - Used for attaching anchors rodes or dock lines to a cleat.
  • Bowline - Forms a loop which holds perfectly, yet unties easily even after being under load.
  • Bowline on a Bight - Another way of tying a bowline when you don't have access to the end of the line.
  • Double Overhand Stopper Knot - Stopper knot used to prevent the end of a line from slipping through a block. It is also an element of the Double Fisherman's Knot, which is commonly used to tie two ropes together (see below).
  • Slipped Buntline Hitch - A good temporary knot which will hold, but comes undone with one pull. Useful for temporarily tying up a dinghy or a kayak.
  • Clove Hitch - A temporary knot used to tie and adjust fenders.
  • Butterfly Coil - An improperly coiled rope will knot and tangle, making it difficult or impossible to deploy when needed. The butterfly coil is one method of of coiling rope without twists/knots. If you have a very long rope, or limited arm strength, you can butterfly coil the rope over your neck, instead of your arm.

Other important knots for Ephemerisle

  • Trucker's Hitch - To tightly ratchet down a line around cargo (such as a backpack, kayak, etc.)
  • Double Fisherman's Knot - A good way of attaching two lines together
  • Icicle Hitch- A gripping hitch. Can be used to relieve or distribute pressure on an anchor line, or to tie off a line securely to a post, or railing. Practical Sailor tests found it to be better than other gripping hitches, such as the rolling hitch.


Additional boating knots are listed on Animated Knots. 5 Essential Sailing Knots shows how to use some of them in practice.