Boarding ladder - knot that undoes when you tug it?

[Tintin]

I've tried a few home grown knots that I had hoped would be able to be pulled from the water and release the boarding ladder so the lower half swings down. But also so the knot does not come undone with regular use of the ladder from the tender, when I don't want the lower half to swing down.

I almost got very wet this weekend getting into the tender as the knot decided to undo itself at just the wrong moment.

So what knot would you use?

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Are you standing on the swinging lower section when it is in the up position?
I wouldn't trust any slip knot for that.
We usually completely lower the ladder when we use it but SWMBO isn't very agile so I try to make things as easy/safe for her as possible.

 

[Beadle]

A "slippery hitch" would be the obvious answer, although I admit not being a fan of the knot

 

[Spyro]

Highwayman's hitch

 

[sarabande]

Bank Robber's hitch ?

http://horse-riding.wonderhowto.com/how-to/tie-quick-release-knot-329753/

 

[25931]

Are you standing on the swinging lower section when it is in the up position?
I wouldn't trust any slip knot for that.
We usually completely lower the ladder when we use it but SWMBO isn't very agile so I try to make things as easy/safe for her as possible.

+1

 

[savageseadog]

Knot that undoes when you tug it?..............I'll ask my wife, she's the expert

 

[nigelmercier]

Knot that undoes when you tug it?..............I'll ask my wife, she's the expert

Beat me to it

 

[nigelmercier]

Tie a line to the bottom rung, run it over the top rung and pull the ladder up. Now attach line to new bottom rung.

 

[Topcat47]

Tie a line to the bottom rung, run it over the top rung and pull the ladder up. Now attach line to new bottom rung.

With the bank robber hitch, of course.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Tie with a weak line which will part with a good tug.

 

[colind3782]

What about a snap shackle hooked to the pushpit somewhere with a line attached to the release and the other end attached within reach from the water?

 

[Tintin]

What about a snap shackle hooked to the pushpit somewhere with a line attached to the release and the other end attached within reach from the water?

Now that is a good idea - I like that.

 

[Tintin]

Tie with a weak line which will part with a good tug.

I tried that Graham - the problem was it parted when the kids pulled back a bit on the swinging bit of the ladder.

 

[Tintin]

bankrobbers or highwayman hitch was the one I was after - thanks for the links.

 

[LadyInBed]

I have a stainless hook to latch the lower section up, with a cord tied to it which goes up and over the pushpit rail then down the back of the boat.

 

[johnalison]

My ladder is never tied and stays put in any conditions. Only one crew member has ever fallen in from trying to hang onto it.

If I wanted to tie it, I don't know if it has a name, but I often fasten things with a slip/slip knot, which is just a slip-half-hitch with a further slip-bow put into the previous bow and pulled tight. I sometimes put a monkey's paw on the end to be pulled as this can be found easily in the dark.