Sailing Lessons, Advanced Nautical Knots

A knowledge of lines (ropes), cables and chains is mandatory for a skipper of any vessel. Knots on the average will reduce the strength of a line by about 50%, a splice reduces the strength by around 10%. Lines of different materials, weaves and diameters will have different characteristics and strengths. Basic properties and knots are discussed in the US SAILING Keelboat Course at http://www.sailingusa.info/sailing_knots.htm and line strength at http://www.sailingusa.info/working_strains.htm Below are a few advanced knots for you to learn.

Fisherman's Bend: This knot is commonly used to secure a rode to an anchor or a line to a post. It is a modified two-half-hitch and is also called an "Anchor Knot".

Double Sheet Bend: This knot is used to tie together two lines of the same or different size.

Bowline on a Bight: This knot is used to make a pair of fixed loops in the middle or at the end of a line. This is a strong knot and can be used in overboard rescue, towing and in a pinch, even to make a bowswain's chair to be used to ascend the mast.

Carrick Bend: This knot is also called a "Sailor's Knot" and can be used for tying two heavy lines ( i.e. towing hawsers and cables ) together.

Taut Line Hitch : This knot is used to attach a line to a pole.

Rolling Hitch ( or Magnus Hitch ): In the right hand picture, the knot on the top is defined by Ashley and most US knotting books as a rolling Hitch. The knot on the bottom is defined by some British knotting books as a rolling hitch but is a variant of what Ashley calls a "Awning Knot with a Half Hitch" or a "Midshipman Knot". The bottom knot is similar to a taut line hitch except that a taut line hitch is doubled back on itself and tied to the standing part of the line.

A rolling hitch is often used to attach a line to a sheet which is entrapped on a winch from an over-ride. A second line is attached to the entrapped sheet using a rolling hitch. Tension is then placed on the second line which relieves the tension on the over-ride. The over-ride can then be undone and the sheet released.

Ref: The Ashley Book of Knots by Clifford W. Ashley

Coiling A Line : This video will demonstrate how to coil a line to allow for storage and easy unwrapping.

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