A Five-turn Rolling Hitch?

[Kings Gambit]

For some reason, perhaps one of morbid fascination, I ENJOY reading those "lessons learned" or "voice of experience" articles in Sail magazine and other publications, even here in the forum, particularly when they describe aversion of disaster by some quirk of fate. In the July '16 issue of Sail we learn how a world cruiser and author managed to save his anchored boat during a squall exhibiting storm-force winds (> 65 kt) using a "five-turn rolling hitch" to his 5/8" nylon rode to keep it from veering completely out following the 3/8" chain rode that had already ejected itself from the boat. I know that tying of rolling hitches is a fairly common knot-tying skill among sailors although I usually have to make a couple of tries at it before mine will really hold anything. (Of course, this was all happening during a dark night in torrential rain on very steep, short period, wind chop.) He evidently got into this critical situation when his 5/8"-nylon chain snubber parted and allowed the chain to run out, the 100 ft of spliced nylon rode in close pursuit. Why?--b/c the snubber was "two years old!!" Two things learned here. Practice both your regular and emergency "seamanship" skills, and replace that old, sun-damaged, "worn-out" gear that might not pass the next test it faces!! The summer cruising season is nigh upon us!

 

[Ken Cross]

So are you saying I need to quit putting off inspections and maintenance?
It really is easy to look at a component and conclude it must be okay because it's been great so far.
That goes for poor wiring, rigging, engines, cooling systems and so on. I don't know anyone who is on top of everything all the time, but attention to detail is vital particularly when we are away from help.

Thanks for posting this timely reminder.
Ken

 

[kloudie1]

Yesterday, my dermatologist told me that I was old and sun damaged and worn out too.. as she was enjoying watching me wince from the liquid nitrogen.. Use sunscreen she tells me and I have to reply that the sun had just barely been invented when I was a kid, much less sunscreen..

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Yesterday, my dermatologist told me that I was old and sun damaged and worn out too

I'd shop around for a new dermatologist if I were you. One who embraces worn out, sun damaged skin.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yesterday, my dermatologist told me that I was old and sun damaged and worn out too.. as she was enjoying watching me wince from the liquid nitrogen.. Use sunscreen she tells me and I have to reply that the sun had just barely been invented when I was a kid, much less sunscreen..

They must all have that speech perfected by now, but my dermatologist told me just that the other day and I simply recognized that she was a LOT younger than me. So I gave her the same speech you gave yours!

 

[Kings Gambit]

So are you saying I need to quit putting off inspections and maintenance?
It really is easy to look at a component and conclude it must be okay because it's been great so far.
That goes for poor wiring, rigging, engines, cooling systems and so on. I don't know anyone who is on top of everything all the time, but attention to detail is vital particularly when we are away from help.

Thanks for posting this timely reminder.
Ken

A boat and its components "deteriorate" constantly, although at different rates for different components. We, however, can maintain only one to few components at a time. So, without an army of workers or high dollar amounts to spend we're always lagging on inspections and maintenance, etc. Actually, one thing I really wished to know is who could tie a 5-turn rolling hitch in howling wind and darkness, and have it work? I've also been wondering lately about the use of soft shackles of dyneema to backstop the normal preventer (chain snubber). Pass one through a link of the chain connected to a thimbled (plastic) eye-splice at the end a secondary preventer, which is stopped off to the other deck cleat. Has any one experimented with that?

Oh-- I don't even have a dermatologist--yet!

 

[Richard19068]

Oh-- I don't even have a dermatologist--yet!

Being from So Cal, you will. Something to look forward to.

I practice my rolling hitch fairly often (not with 5 turns though) but the few times I have gone to use it in real life I have had to think about it for a while before it comes off.

The back up for the snubber sounds like a good idea.

 

[Gunni]

Actually, one thing I really wished to know is who could tie a 5-turn rolling hitch in howling wind and darkness, and have it work?

Someone who didn't know how to attach a Prusik hitch and was hoping that five knots was the charm!

I've also been wondering lately about the use of soft shackles of dyneema to backstop the normal preventer (chain snubber). Pass one through a link of the chain connected to a thimbled (plastic) eye-splice at the end a secondary preventer, which is stopped off to the other deck cleat. Has any one experimented with that?

I bought a couple last year at boat show just because it looked cool and primitively ingenious, but not knowing what to do with them. I'll give it try just because I want to use the thing.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Being from So Cal, you will. Something to look forward to.

I practice my rolling hitch fairly often (not with 5 turns though) but the few times I have gone to use it in real life I have had to think about it for a while before it comes off.

The back up for the snubber sounds like a good idea.

I probably need one; a few spots are starting to appear. But, no history of skin cancer in my family even though my granddaddy worked the sun-drenched fields of the Central Valley for at least 30 years driving a disc-tiller and tractor. A rolling hitch, clove hitch, half-hitch, square knot, bowline, the double/triple sheet bend, and a stopper are about the only knots I can tie quickly & w/o looking it up; I can also manage a 3-strand eye splice w/o reference. Two others I've experimented with include the anchor bend and the halyard knot but have not found much use for them. What else is needed routinely?

 

[vhoisington]

Haven't used Sunscreen in 45 years, I"m absolutely convinced that the whole sunscreen debacle is a result of marketing, Dentists have been doing it for years and now we get dermatologist scaring everyone into thinking hey have skin cancer. I'm convinced that there really aren't any more cases today than before just that we hear of more due to the pervasiveness of the media and internet. But, then again, My wife tells me to keep the insurance paid....

 

[Kings Gambit]

Haven't used Sunscreen in 45 years, I"m absolutely convinced that the whole sunscreen debacle is a result of marketing, Dentists have been doing it for years and now we get dermatologist scaring everyone into thinking hey have skin cancer. I'm convinced that there really aren't any more cases today than before just that we hear of more due to the pervasiveness of the media and internet. But, then again, My wife tells me to keep the insurance paid....

I have to agree, but I rarely do put it on and we always have it on the boat for guests who feel that they need it.

 

[All U Get]

Yesterday, my dermatologist told me that I was old and sun damaged and worn out too.. as she was enjoying watching me wince from the liquid nitrogen.. Use sunscreen she tells me and I have to reply that the sun had just barely been invented when I was a kid, much less sunscreen..

She must be hot, blame it on her.

All U Get

 

[rgranger]

I have vitiligo (albino patches) so I wear sun screen all the time... now my doctor tells me I'm vitamin D deficient. Can't win!!!

 

[centerline]

Someone who didn't know how to attach a Prusik hitch and was hoping that five knots was the charm!

the prusik hitch is one of the most useful, yet under-utilized attachment hitches on a sailboat, or wherever else rope rigging is used.... I keep several pieces of line tied in loops so that I can always attach one in a hurry when needed.... and even when they arent needed in a hurry....

I use a loop to make a prusik hitch on the forestay to hold the wind scoop up in the hatch, and to attach Rochelles Hammock to the headstay and shrouds... one is being used on the dock power cord as a strain relief.... and its what I use as a safety around the mast, when I have to go up.
Ive also used them on the anchor rode to bridle it... and as a quick attachment to take the load when a winch gets an over-ride.
and the loops are also great to wrap around the coiled water hose, power cords, assorted lines, ect. that get used frequently, so that many pieces of equipment can all be hung by the loops on the smallish hooks that would otherwise be filled with one hose or cord by itself...

its a useful hitch that is easily adjusted when the load is removed, they dont jam or get tight, its easy to tie, use, and remember.... and probably less than 5% of us have ever tied/used one.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Yes, the Prusik hitch--Gunni mentioned that as you pointed out. Put me in the >95% of boaters who have not used it (or even know of it), but soon I likely will. How would you close a loop of line to use with it--splice, sheet bend, or ???

 

[centerline]

Yes, the Prusik hitch--Gunni mentioned that as you pointed out. Put me in the >95% of boaters who have not used it (or even know of it), but soon I likely will. How would you close a loop of line to use with it--splice, sheet bend, or ???

for the purpose I use the loops for, I take a piece of line 3-4ft long, and tie a simple over hand knot in one end, leaving it loose... then bring the other end of the line around and insert it in the hole of the loose knot..... pull it thru and then tie it in an overhand knot around the line behind the first knot.. then snug down both knots and pull the line tight to bring the knots back to back..... they cant pull out, and without splicing its about the most compact permanent knot you can get...

 

[All U Get]

Yes, the Prusik hitch--Gunni mentioned that as you pointed out. Put me in the >95% of boaters who have not used it (or even know of it), but soon I likely will. How would you close a loop of line to use with it--splice, sheet bend, or ???

I use the Prusik to grab a line with another line. Recently we stayed at a marina in Ct on a mooring ball. I had added a bridle to the pendant and at low tide we swung nearer to shore and settled into the muddy bottom. To shorten the scope we ran a line from a winch to the pendant and hauled our boat out of the mud. With about 15 feet less scope we were fine for the next tide change.

All U Get

 

[SFS]

Here's a heads up for the community. I just tried to go to Animated Knots to take another look at Prusik hitches, and received a notice that the site contained malware. I guess it could be my anti-virus program being overly cautious, but if not, I hope they get it straightened out soon. It's a great site.

 

[dlochner]

Practical Sailor had a recent series of articles on snubbers and chain hooks. Worth the read. They prefer hitches such as the camel hitch.

As for dermatologists, I'd suggest a good plastic surgeon instead. Either one is handy with a can of liquid nitrogen, but when it comes time for the scalpel, the plastic surgeon wins hands down. If you are getting your face sprayed with liquid nitrogen, the scalpel is not too far down the road. Voice of experience here.

 

[dziedzicmj]

the prusik hitch is one of the most useful, yet under-utilized attachment hitches on a sailboat, or wherever else rope rigging is used....

I always say that if only sailors learned from the mountain climbers how to use the ropes and climbers learned from sailors how to handle ropes, both would have much easier and safer lives. (Prusik knot is named after an Austrian mountaineer who allegedly invented the knot; it was in use for years by climbers, before the ascenders were invented).

mdz