Would you like a separate section on CF on knots and splicing?

[Seaworthy Lass]

The thread on the Zeppelin bend has resulted in a couple of requests for a separate section on CF for "Knots, Splices (and Bondage )".

In some regards sailors are quick to take on new technology (new materials, electronics, even eventually new anchor design ). In some areas though, we seem to be traditionalists, following methods a little blindly because "it is the way it has always been done". Tying some knots seems to fall firmly in the latter category.

The knots we are currently tying have been in use at least a couple of hundred years and were design for lines of natural fibres that do not slip easily. The better "new" knots that were first in use nearly a century ago have been largely ignored.

Why are we so slow to take on change?
It is not as if some of the currently taught knots are the best. And even some of the basic current knots are not well known or used.

For example, the best options for joining lines of different diameter are pretty pitiful if none the quartet of twin overhands is used. I think there is lots of valuable info from knot tying forums and climbing forums that is simply not filtering through to us. Members may find more discussion on knots useful.

So, would you like threads on knots and splicing lumped into "Sails, Rigging & Hoisting" and "General" as is currently happening, or is anyone interested in a separate section being created for these discussions?

Poll results will guide the mod panel regarding the best course of action.

[Ex-Calif]

For me it's already covered in Seamanship and Boat Handling.

Would the post "Tying off to a bolard" go in knots or seamanship?

OTOH - there is a "weather" sub-forum so I guess it could be stuck in as a sub-forum to Seamanship.

I think it would be useful to have a "Pocket Cruising" forum or "Small Boat" forum.

I think many thread kerfuffles could be avoided - for example, "You're an idiot if you don't have 300 feet of chain, 60 pound anchor, 1000a/h of batteries and 4 jibs." "Yeah but I have a 22 foot boat..."

Small boat systems, cruising and strategies are different.

OTOH - It could also be duplicative and divisive <sigh> Change is hard!

[kentobin]

I'd like to see it as a sub-section under rigging just to make the knot, splicing, and bondage threads easier to access without doing a search.

Same for synthetic rigging.

Thanks for asking.

[Jim Cate]

G'Day SWL,

Frankly, it does not seem to me to make any difference where the info is posted. I don't look at CF by forum name, rather I poke at "new posts" and scan down the resulting list for subjects of interest. Thus, the existence of your proposed new forum will not have any impact.

For me, part of the interest of CF is the wide range of subjects covered. I would loose out if I only looked at a few listed forums. Further, it seems that many folks are a bit careless about where they post things, so there's another reason for not restricting oneself to specific forums.

I guess this means that I vote "no" on the poll. This does not mean that I don't have interest in your knotty posts!

Jim

[StuM]

Jim sums up my thoughts perfectly.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

G'Day SWL,

Frankly, it does not seem to me to make any difference where the info is posted. I don't look at CF by forum name, rather I poke at "new posts" and scan down the resulting list for subjects of interest. Thus, the existence of your proposed new forum will not have any impact.

For me, part of the interest of CF is the wide range of subjects covered. I would loose out if I only looked at a few listed forums. Further, it seems that many folks are a bit careless about where they post things, so there's another reason for not restricting oneself to specific forums.

I guess this means that I vote "no" on the poll. This does not mean that I don't have interest in your knotty posts!

Jim

Originally Posted by StuM

Jim sums up my thoughts perfectly.

Yep, me too...

No need for a separate section IMO.

Although I would expect bondage threads to appear in the "off topic" section

[Seaworthy Lass]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.

Seems like things are working fairly well as is . Support would have had to be overwhelming to open up a new section.
I will close the poll.

Originally Posted by Wotname

No need for a separate section IMO.
Although I would expect bondage threads to appear in the "off topic" section

Wot, I am still waiting for a description of the French Zeppelin and its uses .