Knowing Which Knot

[Adventurebound]

Which knots are useful on a boat. I know the square knot, learning what is called the bank robbers knot [maybe planning a career change] and might need a couple others.

[boatman61]

Bowline, Clove Hitch and Round Turn Two Half Hitches are the most commonly used knots.. also a variation of the Clove Hitch used on snubbers to anchor chain... but the name escapes me at the moment...
but its got two turns on one side.. jams one way..

[StuM]

Originally Posted by boatman61

also a variation of the Clove Hitch used on snubbers to anchor chain... but the name escapes me at the moment...
but its got two turns on one side.. jams one way..

I think you are talking about the Rolling Hitch aka Tautline Hitch

[StuM]

Other important ones a Figure Eight and something to join two ropes together. For the latter, I prefer a Zeppelin Bend.

[boatman61]

Damn.. forgot the Windy knot for when you drop yer sails..
Reef Knot..

[Factor]

This is a good place to learn them.
ANIMATED KNOTS WEBSITE

[StuM]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Damn.. forgot the Windy knot for when you drop yer sails..
Reef Knot..

That's the "square knot" he mentioned in the original post.

[boatman61]

Bludi Furriners...

[Canibul]

I find myself also using the bowline-on-a-bight a lot to secure stuff and tighten lines.

[ontherocks83]

You only need to know how to tie one knot and that's it. Never mind all this other crap people are spewing. Learn how to tie a Hangman's noose and watch how fast the crew learns to tie all the correct knots for you. See think smarter not harder

[belizesailor]

There was a thread exactly like this in the past...a general concensus developed a list of sorts. OP might search for that too.

On a regular basis aboard a boat you only use about half a dozen knots.

[boatman61]

[SaltyMonkey]

Learn the Alpine Butterfly. I keep saying it. It's the one knot you can use for just about everything - bend, loop, hitch. Extremely easy to tie. It's one of four siblings:

Alpine Butterfly
Hunter's Bend
Zeppelin Bend
Ashley Bend

SaltyMonkey knows knots. But knowing lots is not the way to go. Less is more.

[Seaworthy Lass]

I agree a Bowline, 'Round turn and 2 half hitches' and a Rolling hitch are essential.

Knowing a variety of bends is very useful:
Double sheet bend (very quick, reasonably strong, good for ropes of different diameter)
Double/triple fishermans (very strong, use only if the ropes do not have to be untied)
Zepplin or Alpine Butterfly bends (strong, knots can be untied). Although the Zeppelin is marginally better I prefer the Alpine as it is so easy and follows on from the Alpine loop.
Carrick (very strong, good for very thick line, needed for learning the Diamond knot used for soft shackles)

In addition:
Alpine Butterfly loop (very useful as unlike the bowline, tension can be put between any component)
Trucker's hitch is handy in general.

Since using soft shackles for the snubber, I have not needed the previously often used Prusik loop & Klemheist.

Can't think of anything I use a clove hitch for, except it is a component of lots of other knots eg the handcuff .

[IdoraKeeper]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Damn.. forgot the Windy knot for when you drop yer sails..
Reef Knot..

If you can't tie a SQUARE KNOT then its reef not.