Knot to attach float to mooring rope?

[Malagueta]

Hi
Wbat is a good knot to attach something to the bight of a thick rope using a thinner rope?
e.g. attach a float to the middle of a mooring rode which is vertical at high water (and float is under waterline) using a short thinner line? Thicker Mooring line can also lay along surface at low water



TIA


Leigh

[Ded reckoner]

The USCG recommends using a Becket or sheet bend knot for tying lines of different diameter together.

[tkeithlu]

The standard knot for joining two different ropes is the sheetbend, with the thicker rope being the bend and the thinner rope wrapped around it. If the thicker rope is very stiff or otherwise tends to straighten out, consider the double sheetbend, with two wraps around the stiff rope rather than one.

[Malagueta]

Originally Posted by Ded reckoner

The USCG recommends using a Becket or sheet bend knot for tying lines of different diameter together.

Thanks
but thinking more about it, I wonder if it should be some sort of hitch since the idea os ofr the thicker bend to remain straight, like a pole?


I think the main thing is that it doesnt undo if the load on the line is not constantly in tension but can oscilate

[Dougtiff]

I use a line long enough to go from the cleat theu the Mooring line bight and back to the cleat, makes it easier to get underway.

[Jim Cate]

The question is, I think, tying the smaller line into the middle of the thicker line, not at it's end. Thus the sheet bend(s) are not appropriate.

I'm no ropework expert, but I'd likely use something like a rolling hitch with the free end of the lighter line stitched down to keep it from relaxing and coming off. There are likely more elegant solutions... SWL, where are you?

Jim

[Malagueta]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

The question is, I think, tying the smaller line into the middle of the thicker line, not at it's end. Thus the sheet bend(s) are not appropriate.

I'm no ropework expert, but I'd likely use something like a rolling hitch with the free end of the lighter line stitched down to keep it from relaxing and coming off. There are likely more elegant solutions... SWL, where are you?

Jim

Yup


I have a 1" mooring rode and want to tie a float (with an eye at its bottom) to this rope with a smaller line somewhere along the length of the rode


Stitching is one way, I guess, but wondered if there was a specific knot to do it.

Clove hitch would work but I think they are not good uunless under tension always?


This forum has switched me on the ABOK but still not sure how I would find the answer amongst the many, many solutions in that book

[BruceS]

Cray/crab fishermen arise!!
Common for them folks to have a couple of floats (at least) and attached so the rope goes over/around the hauler with out the float jamming.
3 Core nylon is a breeze. Poke it through under a core and ?

[Doughdish]

Make an Alpine Butterfly loop and attached using a bowline

[john2445]

A couple turns around the mooring line and 2 half hitches back on itself.

[Malagueta]

Perhaps this?



ABOK # 1738: A hitch to a double line that may be pulled from either direction. This is made fast to the head of a seine, and is used when attaching a buoy.


I know this says 'double line' but I could tuck the end of the thinner rope through between the strands of the 3-strand and then tie a stopper knot in it so it cant come out again?


This is fun!

[Scubaseas]

I usually just splice the small line into the big line. Three to five tucks.

[Malagueta]

Originally Posted by Scubaseas

I usually just splice the small line into the big line. Three to five tucks.

Just in and then simply over under over under etc?

[Scubaseas]

Yes, just do it like a short splice. Over and under 3 to 5 lays/strands. Tie off end with a half hitch or two.

[StuM]

Sheetbends are extremely dangerous with modern lines where there are regular variations in loading. They slip - don't use them, there are much better knots. (Also see Ashley's comments on Sheetbends). But that's really irrelevant in this case of joining to the middle of a line.



I'd put an Alpine Butterfly in the main line and an appropriate hitch to attach the float. You could use a Halyard Hitch or a Prusik for example depending on the situation.



If you don't want a loop in the main line, you could consider ABOK# 1740 or 1741.
1740. This is an attempt to make a hitch that will not give or render under pull from either direction. It appears to be dependable.
1741. The Camel Hitch was found on the picket line in Ringling Brothers’ Circus. Not only must the knot remain secure from a pull in either direction; it must also untie without too much difficulty while very wet.

I just saw that the main line is 3-strand. You could consider splicing the thinner line into it. (ABOK# 2831)