Knotty question: connecting the two ends of a line

[dick]

On another thread (attaching a whisker pole), Stu Jackson suggests tying a loop of line to the headsail cringle, as an attachment point for a whisker pole.

Which makes me wonder: what's a good knot, when all you want to do is turn a few inches of line into a "circle". In other words, what's a good knot to tie the two ends of your line together?

I know how to do it with a splice, but a knot?

 

[higgs]

What I would try

I would use two bowlines with minimal loop to them and tape the loose end to the working end. Or perhaps one bowling and one double half hitch.

I have always attached the whisker pole to the loop created when I tie the jib sheet to the clew with a bowline.

 

[dmc]

Knot

Tie a figure 8 knot (stopper knot) anywhere in the running length of the line. Fold the line back on itself and tie the knot. It will untie.

 

[David10790]

Reef Knot

Why get fancy. That's what it's for.

 

[scolil]

All of my experience is daysailling and I trailer the boat between sails, so I re-tie the halyards and sheets every time I go out.

I prefer a small bowline. The first time I took the boat out I took a friend with "sailing experience." He tied the biggest, ugliest, "gordian" to attach the main halyard. He has proven to be a very valuable crewman, but now I tie my own lines when setting up.

 

[Bob V]

All you even wanted to know about knots

and then some.

http://www.animatedknots.com/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

 

[ITMaster]

two lines together. Well, more than likely more than that, but the two I know of are the Anglers knot and the Sailors knot.

However, like Higgs, my preference is the bowline. I find that I use that knot maybe more than any knot I use. It is so easy, it is a good holding knot, it is good for lifting someone during a rescue, doesn't slip. But, to me the most important value of it is the ease with which it can be untied. Many times, a knot will get tied good and tight and it can be next to impossible to get it untied, especially if it got wet and then pulled tight and then it dried. But not that bowline, it is my favorite knot. I use it to put through a bridle to tow with, I just like it a lot and I would use it for the application you mention here.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Figure 8

For the application I mentioned, I'd use a figure 8 knot, easy to tie, even better to get out. But, how, you ask, would one do that? Make a big loop and tie it to itself, NOT try a figure 8 at the ends. It's bunchy, but it'd do. Lotsa other sheets and bends that'd do, but I don't know 'em!

 

[Dennis W.]

I have a length of three strand 1/2" line spliced through the clew on my jib. It is there permanently and allows me to set the pole before unfurling the jib and allows me to jibe without switching the sheet the pole is attached to. I use the splice because of the strength compared to even the best knot.