Knots
These simple knots are essential to know, there are many others
that have their uses, but these are fairly rare.
Videos
This selection of videos has been donated by Charles Frater.
Stopper Knots
Stop ropes pulling through fairleads etc. or quick stop to rope
fraying.
| Thumb Knot |
Figure of Eight |
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Simplest, but becomes very hard to undo.
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Simple, effective and easy to undo - used on jib
sheet ends to stop them running through fairleads or blocks.
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Reef Knot
Tie two similar thickness ropes together.
| Reef Start: |
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| Reef Done: |
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Bowline
Tie a loop at the end of a rope.
Here is how I remember how to tie a bowline. See Fig 1. The end of the rope "T" could be fixed.
I will call it the Tree. Make a loop "H", I will call this the Hole. The free end "R" I will call the Rabbit.
The Rabbit comes Up out his
Hole, Round the Tree and Back Down his Hole.
Hey presto! youn have a bowline. This knot is very dependable, the
loop will not become smaller under stress, so the bowline can be used
to tie a lifeline,
thrown to you, round your middle.
(with practice this can be done with one hand). Also used for secure
attatchment to jibs and spinackers etc. Undoing is easy as the "tree" can be bent back and the
rabbit's path loop can be bent back along it.
This is called breaking the knot.
Copyright © London Corinthian
Sailing Club, 3 Jan 2000
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