Knots
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The most used knot that I use is
the trucker hitch. I use cleats second and bowlines third. What is a trucker hitch? I really did not want to explain this, but it is soooo handy. Ok when I was a kid my teacher said the best info you will write about is what you know. So I am debating the tying down of my tailer or the knots used to tension my boom tent. I am thinking the boom tent is the best for now. I will try to explain the knot used between the boom tent and a solid object. First take a 5' piece of say 3/16ths cord,and tie it to the grommet of the boom tent with a bowline. Then take the loose end of that line and make a wrap on (say) the stern rail. Now the tough explaination. On the line that is running from the grommet to the rail, about in the middle of that, form a loop, twist it 1/2 turn then pull a loop from line on the rail side of the loop. Now you have a loop through a loop. Take the end of the line that you round the stern rail and put it through the last loop made. Pull the bitter end and tie off with a slip knot. Ok, I think I am going to have to picture this. r.w.landau
the trucker hitch. I use cleats second and bowlines third. What is a trucker hitch? I really did not want to explain this, but it is soooo handy. Ok when I was a kid my teacher said the best info you will write about is what you know. So I am debating the tying down of my tailer or the knots used to tension my boom tent. I am thinking the boom tent is the best for now. I will try to explain the knot used between the boom tent and a solid object. First take a 5' piece of say 3/16ths cord,and tie it to the grommet of the boom tent with a bowline. Then take the loose end of that line and make a wrap on (say) the stern rail. Now the tough explaination. On the line that is running from the grommet to the rail, about in the middle of that, form a loop, twist it 1/2 turn then pull a loop from line on the rail side of the loop. Now you have a loop through a loop. Take the end of the line that you round the stern rail and put it through the last loop made. Pull the bitter end and tie off with a slip knot. Ok, I think I am going to have to picture this. r.w.landau
Rolling hitch: Easy to adjust, easy to untie
I use the rolling hitch (2 versions: standard and 'taylor') for 90% of 'hitching'. The rolling hitch is a variation of the prussik, a 'slideable' knot ... one (used in 3 sets of three loops/knots) that will enable you to ascend a mast when the halyards are jambed. A rolling hitch coupled with an 'alpine butterfly' is a super 'cargo knot' that will allow you take up super strain on a 'lashing' - works like a 'gun-tackle' or pulley with a 'lock'. I use this combination to very securely lash the dinghy and other crap to the foredeck when going offshore. I prefer the buntline over the bowline - small and wont shake loose. For joining lengths of line I use the zeppelin hitch instead of a sheet bend - stonger and wont 'capsize' Nothing beats a doubled figure of eight for tying in a boatsun chair ... much safer than a bowline and is standard practice for rock climbing, etc. for tying in to rapelling harnesses, etc. I find I use the 'boatmans' knot (a fancy slip-knot) for tying a dinghy painter or temporary tying a dockline to a piling .... can be opened with one hand and doesnt tangle on/around the piling when you do. So, I guess I hardly ever use the common but ancient sailor's knots instead use the more 'modern' knots used with synthetic lines/ropes.
I use the rolling hitch (2 versions: standard and 'taylor') for 90% of 'hitching'. The rolling hitch is a variation of the prussik, a 'slideable' knot ... one (used in 3 sets of three loops/knots) that will enable you to ascend a mast when the halyards are jambed. A rolling hitch coupled with an 'alpine butterfly' is a super 'cargo knot' that will allow you take up super strain on a 'lashing' - works like a 'gun-tackle' or pulley with a 'lock'. I use this combination to very securely lash the dinghy and other crap to the foredeck when going offshore. I prefer the buntline over the bowline - small and wont shake loose. For joining lengths of line I use the zeppelin hitch instead of a sheet bend - stonger and wont 'capsize' Nothing beats a doubled figure of eight for tying in a boatsun chair ... much safer than a bowline and is standard practice for rock climbing, etc. for tying in to rapelling harnesses, etc. I find I use the 'boatmans' knot (a fancy slip-knot) for tying a dinghy painter or temporary tying a dockline to a piling .... can be opened with one hand and doesnt tangle on/around the piling when you do. So, I guess I hardly ever use the common but ancient sailor's knots instead use the more 'modern' knots used with synthetic lines/ropes.
depends on the boat....
when beach cat sailing I used a sheet bend to tie the traveller and mainsheet together for. Don't use it at all on my keel boat. On my keel boat I use the buntline hitch to rig the jib downhaul, bowline for the sheets, clove hitch for the fenders, figure of eight for a stopper, I use a slipped square knot for reefing, cleat hitch for horn cleats. I know the rolling hitch and truckers hitch, but don't use 'em too much. I never substitute the buntline hitch for the bowline on jibsheets, because the buntline binds up tight to the cringle and, therefore, is much more difficult to untie.
when beach cat sailing I used a sheet bend to tie the traveller and mainsheet together for. Don't use it at all on my keel boat. On my keel boat I use the buntline hitch to rig the jib downhaul, bowline for the sheets, clove hitch for the fenders, figure of eight for a stopper, I use a slipped square knot for reefing, cleat hitch for horn cleats. I know the rolling hitch and truckers hitch, but don't use 'em too much. I never substitute the buntline hitch for the bowline on jibsheets, because the buntline binds up tight to the cringle and, therefore, is much more difficult to untie.
ever get a jib sheet wrap on your winch??
The rolling hitch works great to aleviate the pressure on the working jib sheet so that you can get the wrap fixed on the winch drum.
The rolling hitch works great to aleviate the pressure on the working jib sheet so that you can get the wrap fixed on the winch drum.
Use of Bunt Line Hitch
I am surprised so many of us are using this knot (which is really a clove hitch tied around the standing part of the line). This knot becomes almost impossible to untie without a fid or similar tool after being under load, as compared to a bowline which can almost always be untied by hand.
I am surprised so many of us are using this knot (which is really a clove hitch tied around the standing part of the line). This knot becomes almost impossible to untie without a fid or similar tool after being under load, as compared to a bowline which can almost always be untied by hand.
A Little Help for R W
Take a look at the link R. W. I think this might have the Truckers Hitch your explaining. I like the Bunt Line Hitch for use on the new super slick lines ie amsteel, didn't have a lot of trouble uniting it, another plus for the knot for use on these lines.
Take a look at the link R. W. I think this might have the Truckers Hitch your explaining. I like the Bunt Line Hitch for use on the new super slick lines ie amsteel, didn't have a lot of trouble uniting it, another plus for the knot for use on these lines.
a vote for the buntline
I changed my halyard shackles this past weekend. The buntline hitch is, in my view, a great knot for this. Its tendency to jam is an advantage in this application. A couple of sailmaker threads through it are handy too, for the paranoid such as myself, who don't want to go up the mast to retrieve the halyard because the knot came undone. The link tells you how to tie it.
I changed my halyard shackles this past weekend. The buntline hitch is, in my view, a great knot for this. Its tendency to jam is an advantage in this application. A couple of sailmaker threads through it are handy too, for the paranoid such as myself, who don't want to go up the mast to retrieve the halyard because the knot came undone. The link tells you how to tie it.
Tugmans Hitch
Great idea Mr Higgs. I grew up with many,many knots, father was a seaman. Then reading "The Complete Riggers apprentice" by Brian Toss I ran into several I didn't know including 'The Tugmans Hitch' which I ended up using on a boat I brought down from CAnada, she had winches but no cleats.This knot can hold a load and be loosed with the load on. Other handy knots: prussik (Austrian climbing knot similiar to a rolling hitch but more adaptable for unloading a line, climbing a mast, and other handy tasks), Butterfly knot which is quick to tie for a bight, but only cuts the strength of the line by 30%.A bowline is easy to tie, and using the 'key' properly can be untied when wet or icy, it is not a good knot for movement and can untie itself; climbers never use a bowline, but a figure eight or butterfly to tie into the rope. I have had problems wtih snap-shackles (breaking) and I agree, a good knot is better, but better still is a locking carribiner from a climbing shop like REI.
Great idea Mr Higgs. I grew up with many,many knots, father was a seaman. Then reading "The Complete Riggers apprentice" by Brian Toss I ran into several I didn't know including 'The Tugmans Hitch' which I ended up using on a boat I brought down from CAnada, she had winches but no cleats.This knot can hold a load and be loosed with the load on. Other handy knots: prussik (Austrian climbing knot similiar to a rolling hitch but more adaptable for unloading a line, climbing a mast, and other handy tasks), Butterfly knot which is quick to tie for a bight, but only cuts the strength of the line by 30%.A bowline is easy to tie, and using the 'key' properly can be untied when wet or icy, it is not a good knot for movement and can untie itself; climbers never use a bowline, but a figure eight or butterfly to tie into the rope. I have had problems wtih snap-shackles (breaking) and I agree, a good knot is better, but better still is a locking carribiner from a climbing shop like REI.
When I want a buntline to NEVER come off ....
instead of tying a clove hitch on the standing part I tie a 'constrictor'. I use either to tie-in my jib sheets to a clew if I'm not using a double length sheet tied in the middle with a clove. I had a bowline come loose in F8-9 conditions when the sail momentarily flogged during a tack. Not a place to be and be 'clewless'.
instead of tying a clove hitch on the standing part I tie a 'constrictor'. I use either to tie-in my jib sheets to a clew if I'm not using a double length sheet tied in the middle with a clove. I had a bowline come loose in F8-9 conditions when the sail momentarily flogged during a tack. Not a place to be and be 'clewless'.
From all that I read you can't have a buntline
unless you have a boat with square sails. That doesn't preclude the use of a buntline hitch but it does eliminate the buntline. ;D There are several ways to make a knot or hitch more secure. Seizing the tail(s) with small stuff is one of the more effective methods. How many of us carry a small roll of waxed and tarred small stuff in their ditty bag for that purpose?
unless you have a boat with square sails. That doesn't preclude the use of a buntline hitch but it does eliminate the buntline. ;D There are several ways to make a knot or hitch more secure. Seizing the tail(s) with small stuff is one of the more effective methods. How many of us carry a small roll of waxed and tarred small stuff in their ditty bag for that purpose?
i use a hay haulers knot
all the time unlike the so called truckers knot it works very well any where on the rope not just on the end so you can do several in succession to compound the affect
all the time unlike the so called truckers knot it works very well any where on the rope not just on the end so you can do several in succession to compound the affect
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