Bowline started with an overhand

[Seaworthy Lass]

This was how Yiorgos started. The bowline was tied what I would call "sideways". His left hand held the standing end while his right formed the overhand:




The loop was flipped by pushing the right hand side away from his body. His right hand did not let go of the working end until it looked like this and not before his left thumb was on it:




His left thumb then pushed the end through doubled over to look like this:




His right thumb then slipped in the emerging loop and flicked the the working end. This result looks a bit strange, but if you flip it, it is a mirror image of the "standard" form as I know it:

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

The three techniques I know for a standard bowline are:

The rabbit method (from all 4 directions)
The lightning method
The one handed method

I can add the overhand start now as a forth.

What is the fifth one?

SWL

The last one.

https://youtu.be/ozskWrDM-F4

Sent from my SM-T705W using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Blue Stocking]

All fire fighters are taught this method and examined on it while on a ladder. Take a leglock and tie the bowline around yourself, using your thigh as a workspace. Done it dozens of times in my 17 yrs in the service.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

We are on the hard at the moment and had a busy week getting the boat ready to splash tomorrow.

The yard is 80% empty, but we happen to be sitting next to a retired Greek commercial captain who is also staying on board whilst preparing to launch. He and I had a fun knot session yesterday, exchanging favourites. Yes, the Zepppelin Bend made an appearance .

He had a unusual way of tying a bowline by starting with an overhand, and with one long fluid motion sweeping the knot and working end around and pushing the end through doubled over with his left hand then pulling the emerging loop with his right thumb.

Not a bunny hole or tree in sight .

I have just had a chance to sit and try to reproduce it. It seems quicker than the lightning method where a bowline is started with a slip knot, particularly given the lightning method often needs a bit of time spent dressing.

Anyone come across this method before?

SWL

Yes- I learned it in the Boy Scouts in the 1950s

[fallingeggs]

Originally Posted by jackdale

The last one.

https://youtu.be/ozskWrDM-F4

Sent from my SM-T705W using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

The second (and last) version in the video is magic.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[mynameismud]

I recall learning this way to tie the bowline in scouts many years ago as it was a lifesaving knot used for rescue. I need to brush up tying it this way but I do recall learning this way.

[StuM]

I use a two handed version of the one handed method. Sort of like this:

How to Tie a Bowline in less than 5 Seconds

It avoids the embarrassment of making the rabbit hole the wrong way round

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by jackdale

The last one.

https://youtu.be/ozskWrDM-F4

Hi Jackdale
The last one is the "lightning method" (= slipknot and pass the working end through. I am still missing one of the five you know.

Originally Posted by fallingeggs

The second (and last) version in the video is magic.

I learned the lightning method (the last one in the video) only a year or two ago. I think it is magic too .

[CHAZ]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

The three techniques I know for a standard bowline are:

The rabbit method (from all 4 directions)
The lightning method
The one handed method

I can add the overhand start now as a forth.

What is the fifth one?

SWL

Maybe Bobby Schenks
"Polynesian Dog Knot"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXH...ature=youtu.be

Good "knotting"

Fair winds

Martin

[S/V Alchemy]

Crazy. I just realized I do the "cowboy style" frequently...cool if it works.

That last method is marlinspike gold.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by CHAZ

Maybe Bobby Schenks
"Polynesian Dog Knot"

Good "knotting"

Fair winds

Martin

LOL. That bloke has a sadistic streak. All I succeeded in doing is banging my head with the working end several times and the results resemble a Gordian's knot .

Maybe it is the glass of bubbly I had beforehand that affected my competency . We splashed today after the longest break from cruising for over eight years.

SWL

[adlib2]

I wonder when and why the "rabbit and hole" method was adopted? It does seem inferior.

SWL[/QUOTE]

I was taught Rabbit and Hole in the Cub Scouts age 9 yrs. Possibly the source.

[Paul Kelly]

From what you describe, I think this is the way I was taught to tie a bowline, with the promise that you can tie one ‘behind your back and with your eyes shut’ (and who, knows, you might have to!).It involves a twist of the wrist and I find it quick and foolproof.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Paul Kelly

From what you describe, I think this is the way I was taught to tie a bowline, with the promise that you can tie one ‘behind your back and with your eyes shut’ (and who, knows, you might have to!).It involves a twist of the wrist and I find it quick and foolproof.

Welcome to CF Paul .

I haven't particularly paid much attention to how others tie bowlines before, so I am surprised the overhand method (or a variation involving a twist of the wrist) is reported by the majority here as being the way they were taught.

Originally Posted by adlib2

I was taught Rabbit and Hole in the Cub Scouts age 9 yrs. Possibly the source.

In Jackdale's YouTube link, the method I use (forming a loop first) is described as the "cub scout's way".

I learned how to tie a bowline this way in the mid 80's and still have a tatty copy of the book on board:
Sailing Knots by J.Alimiras (published in the UK in 1984).

Maybe the author was an ex cub scout .

This is the page on how to tie a bowline:

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

We are on the hard at the moment and had a busy week getting the boat ready to splash tomorrow.

The yard is 80% empty, but we happen to be sitting next to a retired Greek commercial captain who is also staying on board whilst preparing to launch. He and I had a fun knot session yesterday, exchanging favourites. Yes, the Zepppelin Bend made an appearance .

He had a unusual way of tying a bowline by starting with an overhand, and with one long fluid motion sweeping the knot and working end around and pushing the end through doubled over with his left hand then pulling the emerging loop with his right thumb.

Not a bunny hole or tree in sight .

I have just had a chance to sit and try to reproduce it. It seems quicker than the lightning method where a bowline is started with a slip knot, particularly given the lightning method often needs a bit of time spent dressing.

Anyone come across this method before?

SWL

Not sure I fully understand, but I tie a bowline that(?) way a lot, really quick, it's a bit backwards though, but pretty much the same knot. Roll the line around your hand into a loop and pull the standing part thru it. Takes about 2 seconds.