How to Rig Round Objects

Ropes and knots are needed to rig and secure all kinds of things on boats, such as sails, anchors and cargo. The wide variety of objects needing to be rigged requires a wide variety of knots, including knots for round objects. One knot that is useful for securing round objects is the monkey's fist knot. It is complex, but like any knot, gets a lot easier once you have practiced and learned it.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Place your round object on a flat surface, if you can. This will make the knot easier to complete. You will need about two feet of rope for the knot itself, assuming your round object is no bigger than a fist. Bigger objects will need more rope.

    • 2

      Wrap the rope three times around the round object, letting the loops lay on the flat surface. These loops should not be tight.

    • 3

      Pass the loose end of the rope over top of your round object. On the other side, pass the loose end under the three loops.

    • 4

      Come back up on the outside of the three loops with the loose end, and wrap the round object three times on this axis as well, enclosing the three original loops against the round object. This second set of three loops should be perpendicular to the first set.

    • 5

      Finish with three loops with the loose end on the flat surface you are working on. Pass it up, underneath the original three loops, and then across the top of the round object, underneath and across the second set of three loops.

    • 6

      Bring the loose end of rope back across the top of the second set of three loops. Create three more loops. This third set of loops should be between the round object and the first set of loops, and perpendicular to the second set. After you complete the wrapping, the round object should be wrapped on all three axes.

    • 7

      Tie a knot in the end of the loose end of rope. Tuck this knot into the interior of the monkey's fist knot.

    • 8

      Go through and tighten each loop of the knot, so that the knot is tight against the surface of the round object.