Knot Booklet

[75RR]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Time ran away from me yesterday .

OK, having a quick look there are three knots that I think it would be good to see instructions for.

Butterfly bend:
Once you have learned to tie the butterfly loop it is dead easy to tie this, keeping the number of knots needed to a minimum. It has other advantages: it is a knot that can be undone after a load is applied and holds well in all but the newer slippery lines (apparently it is close to the strength of the Zepplin). Also load can be applied in any direction - to the loop or to either end. All this makes it a very useful bend to know.

Water bowline:
I use this in preference to the double bowline as it is stronger and almost no harder to tie. The same finishes can be applied to it.

Diamond knot:
This is one I have only recently needed to learn, but I will be using it quite a bit. It is used as the knot of choice at the end of a soft shackle and I think more and more sailors will be starting to make these if they are not already. They are easy to make once you have got the hang of the Diamond knot.
I watched a few YouTube videos on soft shackle making, and the instructions for this knot were very complicated. I struggled. It took me a while to realise this is just a Carrick bend with the working ends then continuing in the same direction they were looping around before, then coming up through the very centre of the Carrick. So easy once this is realised!

The idea behind the Booklet, which was originally meant to be a pamphlet, was to present a small selection of knots in each category.

I think I have covered Bends and Bowlines, by the parameters of the Booklet, pretty thoroughly. I do not think the Butterfly Bend improves on the Zeppelin. The Water Bowline (ABoK 1012) is not as good as the Bowline Variations.

Have not looked into the Diamond Knot, but believe a Button Knot is a popular way to join Soft Shackles. Will add it to my "update list"

[75RR]

Originally Posted by jackdale

I know 5 ways to tie bowlines. The one you show is essentially the "rabbit and tree method" which I do not not tecah and do not like. It is too hard to tie on a boat underway.

I am sure there are probably more. The idea was to show several different types of Bowline, presenting alternative tying methods would take up too much space.

[75RR]

Originally Posted by jackdale

I teach 4 separate boating standards (just joined ASA); all 4 teach the rolling hitch as in this video:

Interesting that he ties it with the parallel turns, yet curiously he then pulls from the side with the half hitch. My understanding is that both the Midshipman's and the Rolling Hitch should be pulled from the round turn side.

[75RR]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Some quick comments

The knots I teach

-figure 8
-double overhand (best stopper knot)
- reef knot
- clove hitch
- cow hitch (lark's head) - You should add this.
- rolling hitch
- bowline
- double sheet bend
- round turn and 2 half hitches
- trucker's hitch

I will only comment on those

- I like the parts of line section
- stress that a round turn and 2 half hitches ends with a clove hitch not a cow hitch (lark's head)
- on sheet bends the working ends are on the same side of the bend.
- reef knot - stress opposites ends of the same line. You did indicate it is not a bend.
- I actually tie the overhand knots over my hand.

Do you see that as a weakness?

[75RR]

madforboats & achil - You are welcome.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by 75RR

Do you see that as a weakness?

If you want that line to pass around or through something like a block, it can be.

In modern usage it is not much of a problem, on traditional boats it was.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by 75RR

Interesting that he ties it with the parallel turns, yet curiously he then pulls from the side with the half hitch. My understanding is that both the Midshipman's and the Rolling Hitch should be pulled from the round turn side.

Duh. You are correct and the video is wrong.

Mea Culpa.

[75RR]

Just a heads up for those who have not seen the Knot Booklet.
Download link on page 1.

[pupuce]

Nice & useful, thankxxx

[rwidman]

Thanks for doing this booklet and putting it out there for free.

[CS Cruiser]

Thanks 75RR

[75RR]

Thanks to pupuce, rwidman and CS Cruiser.
You are all most welcome.

[Austex]

Nice informative booklet, 75RR, thank you!

[PangurBan]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

Check out the icicle hitch. It will hold even on rod rigging.

I second that. It's an amazing hitch and very easy to make. I use it to attach a snubber to anchor chain.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[achil]

Thanks for making the booklet and for making it public. Very useful.