Correct way to tie a bowline

[Rum_Pirate]

After tying a bowline should the bitter end lie 'inside' the loop OR 'outside' the loop ?

 

[lenseman]

You will possibly get two differing replies, but here is my penny-worth:

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/bowline.htm

 

[Rum_Pirate]

That was an outside


here is an inside

and for those that want to tie one singlehanded
( I should have rotated the image, sorry)

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Do you agree with this?

Bowline : This knot is used to place a secure loop in the end of a line. A bowline will work loose with time and should not be used in fastening an anchor line to an anchor.

Source:L http://www.uspowerboating.com/knots.htm

also

[image]Standard_bowline_vs_cowboy_bowline.svg‎[/image]
Comparison of standard bowline (left) and cowboy bowline (right).

SZource (That oracle of truth /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_bowline

 

[lenseman]

Well, there you go!

I said someone would be along shortly with a different suggestion. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Blue5]

[ QUOTE ]
Bowline : This knot is used to place a secure loop in the end of a line. A bowline will work loose with time and should not be used in fastening an anchor line to an anchor.


[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting, I have never had one work loose, perhaps I must be lucky.

/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Cornishman]

I used to instruct MN officer cadets in basic seamanship and at that time (the 1980s and 90s) the Dept for Transport announced that bowlines in modern "slippery" materials could work loose and suggested an alternative in an 'M' Notice. This was to double up the end of the rope and then tie a figure-of-eight thus forming a temporary and secure bight.
All books I have ever used, e.g. The Efficient Deckhand, Admiralty Manual of Seamanship, Hiscock, Ashley, Hervey Garrett Smith et al show the completed bowline with the end inside the bight.

 

[Gin]

I haven't visited all the links here, so excuse if this is covered elsewhere, but I seem to recall seeing a description of one of the versions as a 'German bowline'.

 

[Skyva_2]

Also known as a Dutch bowline on this site which looks very good, with downloads

http://www.layhands.com/Knots/Knots_SingleLoops.htm

 

[Cornishman]

I have not heard of the German Bowline but there is a French Bowline, described in the Admiralty Manual of Seamanship as "an alternative to the bowline on the bight". It makes two loops, the smaller one for the armpit and the larger one for a person to sit in and is used to lower a person from aloft or over the side in the same manner as the bowline on the bight. Unusually, the Manual says the French Bowline is more suitable!

 

[Cliveshep]

I was always taught to have the bitter end inside the loop, however, the knot is basically only a sheet bend or netting knot and holds equally well either way.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

This is a really good site with a good range of knots.
Grogs Animated Knots + other interesting stuff.
Grog's Knots

 

[Simes]

Two loops, often called a Spanish Bowline, Bitter end inside of loop = English Bowline, outside of loop = German Bowline.
Also Bowline on a bight = Two Loops. Panama Bowline is also known as the "Flying" Bowline is a close but inferior relative.

Aslong as it works all will be well.

Simes

 

[BelleSerene]

So to return to the question, the simple answer to his simple question is: the bitter end should be INSIDE.

 

[doug748]

The bitter end "in" is certainly traditional in the UK. I read somewhere that the Dutch Navy had conducted tests which proved (to them at least) that the "outside" method was more reliable. Don't think it much matters myself.

 

[jamesjermain]

I agree because a) there is a very small chance of the bowline slipping and because b) the anchor bend (fisherman's bend) is a better hitch for the purpose

 

[snowleopard]

I tie the ends of my reefing lines to the boom slides with bowlines. The rope is 14mm and fairly slippery Marlow Braid. I have had them come undone (not under load). I think the cause is flogging of the sail shaking them loose. I now seize the end to the standing part.

 

[lw395]

Where the rope is going to be rattling about, unloaded or out of sight, I often tie an extra half hitch or two with the free end. Either flavour of bowline can shake out of some ropes.

 

[savageseadog]

[ QUOTE ]
I used to instruct MN officer cadets in basic seamanship and at that time (the 1980s and 90s) the Dept for Transport announced that bowlines in modern "slippery" materials could work loose and suggested an alternative in an 'M' Notice. This was to double up the end of the rope and then tie a figure-of-eight thus forming a temporary and secure bight.


[/ QUOTE ] Many climbers and cavers finish a bowline with a half hitch

 

[Kilter]

All the climbers I know use a figure of eight