What Knots , Why , and Where Abouts

[Blue Stocking]

---and as the hooker told the sailor "yu're making three knots, "not" hard enough, "not" long enough, and "not " getting your money back.
Sorry Bill, could "not" resist any longer.

[Bill Burgette]

Groannnn !!

[Curmudgeon]

Bowline
Square knot (I seldom use it on a boat, but what the hell, I learned it in the boy scouts, so put it on the list)
Rolling Hitch (for snubbers, etc.)
Two half hitches
Simple overhand knot (to keep lines from running through stoppers, etc.)
Lark's Head (what I use to attach sheets to headsails)

Most figure 8 arrangements will work on a cleat, so I don't consider that a separate knot

[SaltyMonkey]

ahhhhh the slippery figure 8 on a cleat debate. I am one of those purists that think not many configs work, and have to correct myself when I messup

[thinwater]

For example, I'm pretty sure I can do a roped accent of any mountain with only a figure-8. I will request that a figure-8 on a bight and a traced figure-8 are the same knot. There are other knots I could use, but this one will serve.

Sailing? I bet I could do a 2 week cruise with only the figure-8... and I might even use it as a stopper! I would probably throw a cleat hitch by accident, but I'll fight the urge.

• I can tie a prusik loop--don't need the rolling hitch
• I can tie-up with round turns and a figure-8. Same with fenders--no clove hitch
• I can tie sails on with one of several variants
• I can join ropes several ways
• It is the preferred knot for tying a harness to a rope.
• You can make it stronger and less prone to becoming fixed after high load with a simple trace back. Sail Delmarva: Tired of splicing? Substitue a 90% Strength Knot.

No question I would miss a number of handy knots, but this is just a mental challenge. I'm sure a number of other knots could serve.

Your turn.

[SaltyMonkey]

around the world challenge - use only one knot!

[skipmac]

Carrick bend instead of a sheet bend.

Since so many mention it guess I'll have to check out the butterfly.

And yes, every sailor should learn how to properly cleat a line. Stopped at a very fancy marina a couple of years back (broke down and it was close). 100+ megayachts lined up on the outer docks. Office sends a guy down to show us to our slip who insists on taking our line.

By the time he was done winding it around and around the cleat I thought he was doing macrame. Wonder if they sent the same guy down to tie up the Feadship at the end of the dock?