Sailing Knots
In Sailing, there are many knots which come in a variety of features and purposes. Sailing Knots are useful in various situations such as joining two Sailing Lines, tying up to a piling or post, or securing a Sailboat.
In this section, know the common Sailing Knots and learn how to make them:
Figure 8 Knot
This is perhaps the easiest knot to do. This is used as a stopper knot. It keeps the Line from slipping out of things.
1.Make a crossing turn. The working end should be on top and the standing part should be under it.
2.Take the Working end on top of the knot and pass it through the middle of the Crossing turn you made earlier.
3.Pull it tightly.
Reef Knot
Also called a square knot, this is a multi-purpose knot. It is used to tie two Lines of the same diameter together. Moreover, it is usually used in reefing the Mainsail. In making a Reef Knot, just keep this rule in mind: left over right, right over left.
1.Cross the Line from the right over the Line at the left.
2.Loop the Working part of each Line around. The new Working end at the left should pass over the Working end at the right.
3.Pull on both Working ends to tighten the knot. The end result should be a symmetrical knot that resembles a square.
Sheet Bend
This knot is used in tying two Lines with the same or different sizes. When tying Lines of different diameter, make the loop in the thicker Line.
1.Make a loop in one of the Lines. Get the Working end of the other Line and pass it through the loop from below.
2.Pass the Working end of the second Line around and under the short end of the loop.
3.Put the Working end of the second Line over the end of the loop, and then on top, and then pass it below itself.
4.Pull the Standing part of the second Line as well as the loop to tighten the knot.
Bowline
One distinctive feature of a Bowline is that the more load it has, the tighter it holds. This is usually used to tie to a ring or post.
1.Make an overhand loop in the Standing part.
2.Insert the Working end from below through the loop.
3.Pass the Working end behind the Standing part.
4.Pass the Working end through the loop (from the top).
5.Tighten the knot.
Clove Hitch
This knot is used to secure a Sailboat to a post.
1.Make a turn around a post. The Working end should be on top of the Standing part.
2.Using the Working end, make a second turn around the post.
3.Insert the Working end under the second turn.
4.Pull on both the Working end and Standing part to tighten the knot.
Round Turn Two Half-Hitches
This knot is used to tie a Line to a post or ring.
1.Make a round turn on the post (or ring).
2.Put the Working end above the Standing part.
3.Pass it below the Standing part and then insert it under itself.
4.Repeat Step 3.
5.Pull the Working end and Standing part to tighten the knot.
These are the basic Sailing Knots. You do not need to master a lot of different knots at once. What you need are simple ones that will help you on your trips. You will be able to do them instinctively as you gain experience.
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