Sailing Lessons

Sailing Knot Tying

Knot tying is a handy skill to have especially when it comes to sailing. Knots play a vital role in sailing, they can even save your life. To learn how to connect a boat, to learn how to lift it, how to secure it and even how to tow it, you need different knots and different skills.

The most widely used knot is the bowline. It's simple to tie and very strong. A bowline knot is one with a loop in the middle so it can be secured onto a post to stop your boat from moving. This knot can become undone however if you shake it around too much.

A square knot is a very quick job. It's used mainly to tie two ropes together. This is not a knot however that should be used for lifting heavy weights or in dangerous or critical situations. It's a general purpose knot. The water knot is used for webbing. That is why its called the water knot. It's similar to the bowline as it has a loop. This knot is often used for lifting heavy items in a sling like fashion.

A rolling hitch knot is an important knot to know for sailors. Its used to attach a rope to another object like a pole. This is a knot that can handle a load of stress. The mooring hitch is next. This is pretty self explanatory. It's used to moor boats and tie them down so they become stationery. It's not a permanent knot and can be undone quickly simply by giving it a pull.

Next is the double fisherman's knot. This is the most secure way to have to pieces of rope connected together. This is a great knot for rescuing someone who has gone over board. It's also used in rock climbing. The last knot I am going to talk about is the tautline hitch. This knot is unique in the fact that you can adjust the tension. It's very secure. The loop that is created by this knot can be loosened and tightened at will.

Featured Sailing Articles