How to Tie a Boat to a Tree

Many people choose to row a boat as part of their recreational activities. If you come up next to the shore with your boat and find there is no place to pull the boat up onto land, you can instead tie the boat to a sturdy tree. This is only advisable with a small boat like a canoe or row boat. Do not attempt this with a large boat or a sailboat. A large boat may receive damage from hitting the bottom, and the keel of a sailboat may break for the same reason.

Things You'll Need

  • Oars
  • Bow rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Float the boat as close to the tree as possible, using the oars or engine to maneuver. Allow the side of the boat to touch the edge of the land.

    • 2

      Set the oars down in the boat.

    • 3

      Take the rope attached to the bow (front of the boat) in your hand.

    • 4

      Step out carefully from the boat onto land, making sure not to tip the boat.

    • 5

      Loop the rope around the trunk of the tree. Cross the length at the end of the rope over the length of rope attached to the boat. Pass the end of the rope up through the "triangle" of rope made where the two sections of rope cross. Hold the end of the rope in your hand and tug upward to tighten the first half of the knot.

    • 6

      Cross the length at the end of the rope under the length of rope attached to the boat. Pass the end of the rope down through the "triangle" of rope made where the two sections of rope cross. Hold the end in your hand and pull downward to tighten and finish the knot.