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Old 08-04-2021, 05:36   #1
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Knot Funny

While reading Oriental, North Carolina's charming local paper, Town Dock https://towndock.net/ this morning, I came across Captain John's recent knot column:

Knot Funny
https://towndock.net/captains-blog/knot-funny

It got me think on the Top 5 Useful Knots.

He suggests:
1. Cleat Hitch
2. Figure-8 Stopper knot
3. Round Turn & 2 Half-Hitches
4. Bowline
5. Rolling Hitch
6. Reefing Knot
7. Clove Hitch*
*Read article for how his "Top 5" became 7.

As for me, I use a corkscrew rather than a Figure8 stopper (because it actually holds!)

I would also bump Reef Knot up to #5, knocking Rolling Hitch to #6 with Clove Hitch remaining at #7...

Have you got five?
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Old 08-04-2021, 06:06   #2
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Re: Knot Funny

Fun... thinking about it, I tend to use about a 1/2-dozen or so on board. My prioritized list would go:

#1. Bowline
#2. Round Turn & 2 Half-Hitches
#3. Anchor/buntline hitch
#4. Rolling hitch
#5. Figure-8
#6. Sheet bend
#7. Reef knot
#8. Cleat hitch (although this is barely worthy of mention)
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Old 08-04-2021, 07:09   #3
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Re: Knot Funny

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike OReilly View Post
#8. Cleat hitch (although this is barely worthy of mention)
The Coast Guard has a recommended cleat hitch which provides good friction and is easy to do and undo even when a dock line is under tension.

We were in St Petersburg at a marina with fixed docks. A fresh east wind was blowing (which was a very rough condition) and the tide was almost at low tide. I checked my lines and then walked down the dock and saw a powerboat with all lines taut. The cleat hitches he had done were twisted on each end and he had done this multiple times. Because there was tension on every line, it was impossible to undo any cleat hitch. In that condition, he was performing deck cleat stress testing. I requested the dockmaster notify the owner.
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Old 08-04-2021, 07:15   #4
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Re: Knot Funny

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ded reckoner View Post
The Coast Guard has a recommended cleat hitch which provides good friction and is easy to do and undo even when a dock line is under tension.

We were in St Petersburg at a marina with fixed docks. A fresh east wind was blowing (which was a very rough condition) and the tide was almost at low tide. I checked my lines and then walked down the dock and saw a powerboat with all lines taut. The cleat hitches he had done were twisted on each end and he had done this multiple times. Because there was tension on every line, it was impossible to undo any cleat hitch. In that condition, he was performing deck cleat stress testing. I requested the dockmaster notify the owner.
That only occurs if tied incorrectly (backwards). If you run the bitter end around the cleat, it can't lock that way. What you describe can only occur if you cleat tie the working end of the line.
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Old 08-04-2021, 07:31   #5
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Re: Knot Funny

Just walking along the dock, it becomes very obvious that the cleat hitch, that all boaters should know, yet do not, is up there in importance. Frankly, the cleat hitch is number one for most/many boaters since the cleat hitch is being used more than than any other hitch or knot. So many boats never leave the dock...

And even the boats that do leave the dock, what they do to attach a dock line to a cleat, well, I don't know what you call that mass of line, maybe a Gordian knot?

I would add Alpine Butterfly to the list.

Later,
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Old 08-04-2021, 09:07   #6
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Re: Knot Funny

Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleWing77 View Post
While reading Oriental, North Carolina's charming local paper, Town Dock https://towndock.net/ this morning, I came across Captain John's recent knot column:

Knot Funny
https://towndock.net/captains-blog/knot-funny

It got me think on the Top 5 Useful Knots.

He suggests:
1. Cleat Hitch
2. Figure-8 Stopper knot
3. Round Turn & 2 Half-Hitches
4. Bowline
5. Rolling Hitch
6. Reefing Knot
7. Clove Hitch*
*Read article for how his "Top 5" became 7.

As for me, I use a corkscrew rather than a Figure8 stopper (because it actually holds!)

I would also bump Reef Knot up to #5, knocking Rolling Hitch to #6 with Clove Hitch remaining at #7...

Have you got five?
LittleWing77
Wow, you are way past me, although I often end up using knots without thinking about them purely out of habit.

In order of use:

Cleat hitch
Figure 8 Stopper knot for spin sheet and halyard tails
Rolling hitch for fenders
Bowline
round turn and 2 half hitches
half hitches after something else

In order of time invested:

Time spent undoing halyard hitches after a season! ;o))

Fun to read, thanks.
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Old 08-04-2021, 09:19   #7
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Re: Knot Funny

Sorry, I just could knot resist.

I am a fan of the balanced knot or the Ian knot [or the Ian Secured Knot] tying my shoes, reference link: https://tokay-ultimate.com/fr/bienve...re-tes-lacets/
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Old 08-04-2021, 09:55   #8
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Re: Knot Funny

I don't doubt a cleat hitch is important. And even though it is one of the easiest knots to tie, and is obvious when done wrong, it's still low on my priority list.

Firstly, because it is so damn easy. But also because I don't spend a lot of time tied to a dock.
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Old 08-04-2021, 10:11   #9
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Re: Knot Funny

I'm with Dan, throw in the Alpine Butterfly.

I'm often using a taut line hitch and a trucker's hitch sometimes too for lashing stuff down.
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Old 08-04-2021, 10:20   #10
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Re: Knot Funny

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Originally Posted by Don C L View Post
I'm with Dan, throw in the Alpine Butterfly.

I'm often using a taut line hitch and a trucker's hitch sometimes too for lashing stuff down.
Yes, the truckers hitch is really good too.

Later,
Dan
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Old 08-04-2021, 10:43   #11
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Re: Knot Funny

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike OReilly View Post
Fun... thinking about it, I tend to use about a 1/2-dozen or so on board. My prioritized list would go:

#1. Bowline
#2. Round Turn & 2 Half-Hitches
#3. Anchor/buntline hitch
#4. Rolling hitch
#5. Figure-8
#6. Sheet bend
#7. Reef knot
#8. Cleat hitch (although this is barely worthy of mention)

You call yerself Canadian?


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Old 08-04-2021, 11:18   #12
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Re: Knot Funny

Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleWing77 View Post

Have you got five?
LittleWing77
1. Zeppelin Bend
2. Zeppelin Bend
3. Zeppelin Bend
4. Zeppelin Bend
5. Few other inconsequential knots

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ad-128727.html
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Old 08-04-2021, 11:21   #13
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Re: Knot Funny

1. Bowline
2. Clove Hitch
3. Cleat Hitch
4. Figure-8
5. Rolling Hitch
6. Prussic
7. Lottso

I don't think I tie any other knots then these. No need really as the #7 knot covers so many of my odd applications.
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Old 08-04-2021, 11:27   #14
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Re: Knot Funny

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass View Post
1. Zeppelin Bend
2. Zeppelin Bend
3. Zeppelin Bend
4. Zeppelin Bend
5. Few other inconsequential knots

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ad-128727.html
Doh! Of course, how'd I leave that one out? Though I don't think I am as fast on that one as the sheet bend in the dark, at least not yet anyway.
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Old 08-04-2021, 11:50   #15
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Re: Knot Funny

Do you have trouble with your double-slipped reef knots? Do your kids?
Do your shoe laces loosen as you walk around? If so, you may be tying a double-slipped granny knot accidentally.
To check: after you ties your shoes, pull on the two horizontal standing ends that go from the knot to the first grommets. If the bunny ears stay oriented left-right, you have a good knot. If they turn vertically (toes to ankle), then it is a granny knot.
Despite years of tying incorrectly, you can retrain yourself by reversing the very first over-under step. Then do the rest as usual.
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