Joining two long tow lines - how to do it ?

[Uricanejack]

Re: Joining long two lines - how to do it ?

I would use a carrick bend, which according to Ashley is one of the strongest bends available, and is specifically recommended for joining anchor warps. It is also very easy to undo while remaining secure. There are two ways of using it; one is to tie the knot and leave the ends free; on taking a tension the knot will collapse into it's stable form with a long bight at each end of the knot; pushing those sideways will open the knot. The other is to seize the ends to the standing parts so it remains in the under-over pattern used to tie it ; this is what Ashley recommends for anchor warps. If in a hurry I would use the former; both are very secure and very strong.

If there is time to prepare I would suggest a spliced eye in each rope and then thread them through each other, reef knot style. That CANNOT come undone, short of the splice failing, and should remain reasonably easy to undo.

The majority of classic knots will remain easy to undo after being under load - it was part of the selection processs that made them classic knots! However, in come cases you do have to know how they come undone easily.

Incidentally, the bowline and sheet bend are structurally the same knot, so there is little advantage in linking two bowlines. The double sheet bend is no stronger than the single one, but is less likely to slip with modern materials.

Yes, trouble with the carrick or the even better diamond carrick. Time and having something to seize the tails otherwise a double sheet bend is quicker and easier.

If I have time a short splice or double eye splice.

Reality check. Unless I am towing a tender. When would I ever tow with a sail boat. I will just sort out what I have and do the best I can probably a couple of spinnaker sheet joined by a sheet bend.

 

[prv]

Re: Joining long two lines - how to do it ?

Yes, trouble with the carrick or the even better diamond carrick. Time and having something to seize the tails otherwise a double sheet bend is quicker and easier.

The lines I joined this morning weren't going to be under huge load, so a double sheet bend would have been perfectly fine. I made a carrick bend instead just on a whim - I don't think there's much if any difference in the time taken for the knot itself.

In this case I stopped the ends with cable ties that were lying around on deck, mostly in ritual deference to the value of the item on the end of the rope . When I've used the carrick bend for tow-ropes and long shorelines in the past I generally just let them dangle. I always use the knot in the capsized form; the uncapsized state is decorative and I'm told can be used in wire rope that's to be wound onto a drum, but I wouldn't use it for practical purposes in fibre rope.

Pete

 

[duncan99210]

Re: Joining long two lines - how to do it ?

The one time I've towed anyone there frankly wasn't time to indulge in any deep thought about how to make up a tow line long enough to avoid the towed boat attacking our stern. I used our rescue line to pass the tow rope to the casualty and made up the towing line from two 35m cruising chute sheets joined by bowlines (because they're easy knots to do and quick). All worked well once I'd managed to convey to the casualty (he was French and panicking so the language barrier didn't help!) that the rescue line was't part of the tow line....
OK, that wasn't a long tow (about three miles) nor were conditions too extreme (force 4 and moderate sea) but the lines didn't suffer from the experience and were easily and quickly rigged. Perhaps if I used a Carrick bend on a regular basis I could have used one but I don't so opted for the knot I knew would work.
With 20/20 hindsight, I should probably have used the kedge anchor warp with a couple of mooring line bent on to it as that would have offered more shock absorbing capability than the sheets. But the sheets were the first things to hand.

 

[Arcady]

Re: Joining long two lines - how to do it ?

I would use a Hunter's Bend which is quick to tie, if you use the quick method. A round turn on each rope placed back to bank, then the two ends passed through in opposite directions. Depending on how you put the turns back to back you get either a Hunter's Bend or a Zeppelin Bend, reckoned to be the strongest bend of all.
Both knots can jam, but you normally have more time to untie than to tie.

+1 for the Zeppelin bend, aka Rosendahl bend. Robust, symmetrical, easy to untie even after heavy loads. I used it not long ago for a 30 mile open water tow.

 

[savageseadog]

Re: Joining long two lines - how to do it ?

Popcorn job this, almost as good as an anchor thread

 

[GHA]

Re: Joining long two lines - how to do it ?

Popcorn job this, almost as good as an anchor thread

My popcorn is the 'correct' popcorn. Yours might taste ok for a little while but it's not the right stuff

 

[Uricanejack]

Re: Joining long two lines - how to do it ?

I like Redenbacher's traditional popcorn, popped in a pan on the stove or even better a campfire. with lots of real butter.

The micro wave stuff is ok but not quite the same.