How to Keep Sailing Knots From Tightening

Sailing vessels contain miles of rope and line, all used for specific purposes. Hoisting sails, hauling the dinghy and tying fenders to the lifelines all require lines with tied knots. The knots hold heavy loads which you need to securely tie but undoing the knots quickly is essential on a sail boat. Sailors should know how to tie three common knots capable of carrying heavy loads. The knots are firm but designed for easy and quick untying.

Things You'll Need

  • 3-foot piece of rope
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Instructions

  1. Bowline Knot

    • 1

      Hold the standing end of the rope, the piece the knot will be tied around in one hand. Take the working end, the part of the rope used to loop around the standing end to form the knot, and cross it over the standing end to form a loop.

    • 2

      Bring the working end up through the loop, around the standing end and back through the loop. Take the working end behind the standing end and pass it through the second loop.

    • 3

      Pull the standing part to make the knot tight. It can be undone with one hand.

    Figure of Eight Knot

    • 4

      Cross the working end over the standing end, creating a loop.

    • 5

      Bring the working end behind the standing part and toward you.

    • 6

      Pass the working end through the loop and pull both ends to finish it. The knot will look like a figure eight. This knot does not jam and can be used to keep the sheets from running through and out of a block.

    Fisherman's Knot

    • 7

      Place two pieces of rope parallel to each other.

    • 8

      Pass the working end of the top rope under the other rope, then bring over the top rope through the created loop.

    • 9

      Pass the working end of the bottom rope over the top rope and back under itself in the loop. Tighten and the push the knots together to tie two separate pieces of rope together.