What knot is best?

[tyson_troy]

I’m in the process of changing out my main halyard on my 30’ boat and I was interested in finding out the best way to secure the head of the mainsail. I currently have an eye splice but I was wondering if a particular knot would work just as well. I was thinking of using two-half hitches or a bowline but wanted to ask before experimenting.

 

[Joe]

Purchase a captive pin halyard shackle and attach it to the halyard with a buntline hitch. It's similar to the double half hitch, with the second hitch inside the first. Or you can splice an eye in the new halyard.

shackel: http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|118|2186&id=312052

buntline hitch: http://www.animatedknots.com/buntlineboating/index.php

Eye splice: http://www.samsonrope.com/site_files/DB_C1_EyeSplice_Rev.pdf

 

[Roger Long]

The buntline hitch (which I use) will often get your shackle a bit higher than a splice because the extra thickness of a splice will jam in some sheaves. It's a great knot for uses like this but even more permanent than a splice once there has been much strain on it. With modern ropes, it might as well have been soaked in epoxy when it comes to untying.

 

[Steve Dion]

"Generally" a line splice is stronger than a knot.

I prefer a good main sail shackle that is secured with splice.

 

[sailingdog]

I'd third the buntline hitch recommendation and highly suggest you tie the buntline hitch to a shackle.

Joe's a bit off in his description... a buntline hitch is really just a clove hitch tied around the standing part of the line.

I'd point out that the buntline hitch retains about 85% of the rope's strength, and isn't much weaker than a properly done eyesplice, but has the advantage of being much more compact and less likely to bind in the sheave, which the tapered part of an eyesplice can do, especially if the lines are the maximum size the sheaves can handle.

 

[Ross]

A buntline hitch is easily loosened with a sharp knife.

 

[sailingdog]

Should we call you alex?

A buntline hitch is easily loosened with a sharp knife.

 

[Ross]

Should we call you alex?

I was taught how to tie a hatchet bowline by an old Bo'son.

 

[Ron20324]

The buntline is like a figure 8, with the bitter end first led around the shackle/pole/kids then back to do the figure 8. Something similar is double the bitter end back along the line and make a figure 8 with the doubled part, which leaves something like a key fob to put around the shackle.

 

[Paul Brinkley]

Joe and Sailing Dog- You're both right. The buntline hitch and 2 half hitches are both the same as a clove hitch around the rope; the difference is in the direction they are tied. 2 half hitches is tied going away from the loop, and the buntline goes into the loop.

Ross, a sharp wit loosens many things! -Paul

 

[rpwillia]

Good graphic

I'd third the buntline hitch recommendation and highly suggest you tie the buntline hitch to a shackle. ... a buntline hitch is really just a clove hitch tied around the standing part of the line.

SailingDog, Thanks for the graphic, it jogged my memory. Could I also use this to start and finish a line wrap around a pole?

 

[Ross]

SailingDog, Thanks for the graphic, it jogged my memory. Could I also use this to start and finish a line wrap around a pole?

What do you mean by start and finish line wrap on a pole?

 

[sailingdog]

What do you mean by start and finish line wrap on a pole?

That was my next question too...

 

[Hermit Scott]

SailingDog, Thanks for the graphic, it jogged my memory. Could I also use this to start and finish a line wrap around a pole?

He's talking about whipping a pole.
To answer your question, You can but it's knot necessary.
I have started using the buntline. It is better for applications where you want a small knot. I had to shorten a hammock to fit on the fordeck. So I had to retie about 50 knots. I am going to use it to make lazy jacks also.

 

[Ross]

He's talking about whipping a pole.
To answer your question, You can but it's knot necessary.
I have started using the buntline. It is better for applications where you want a small knot. I had to shorten a hammock to fit on the fordeck. So I had to retie about 50 knots. I am going to use it to make lazy jacks also.

That calls for a clove hitch and a turkshead. You don't just stop.

 

[Hermit Scott]

This is what I call a buntline.(1st photo) But i have a knot book and it ties it differently.
The second photo is from a Des Pawson's book.

 

[Hermit Scott]

That second photo is a little unclear. Here is an upclose photo of the knot, same reference.

 

[Ross]

That looks like a buntkine hitch to me but I can't imagine how it would be useful when hitching over a pole.

 

[sailingdog]

Those are the same knots, but I believe the difference is that one is tied right-handed, the other left-handed.

That second photo is a little unclear. Here is an upclose photo of the knot, same reference.

 

[bffatcat]

attaching a halyard my 2c

A buntline hitch is pretty similar to a truckers hitch (basically a figure 8 with a loop at the end.
If you dont want to use a shackle with an eye splice use a bowline. Its easy to tie and easy to untie. And it wont let go