Knots-Single handed in locks.

[single]

I just tried this knot, but would you trust it for use in a lock when single handed? It seems ok if you make it with a decent loop and make sure its tight.

 

[prv]

It's a useful thing to have in the armoury, but I'd be very cautious of using it on a mooring line. Not just because it capsizes under high load, but because under moderate load it will jam instead.

Better for dinghy painters than yacht warps.

Pete

 

[[70521]]

I'll leave that one for my bank robbing pals, looks ideal for attachings cars to lamp posts.

 

[awol]

As it needs both ends of the rope on the boat anyway, does it have any advantage over just looping the rope over the bollard or whatever?

 

[Poignard]

As it needs both ends of the rope on the boat anyway, does it have any advantage over just looping the rope over the bollard or whatever?

Yes - there's less length to pull back (if you pull both parts back together). Also the rope comes clear of the bollard immediately so there's less chance of it snagging

 

[awol]

Yes - there's less length to pull back (if you pull both parts back together). Also the rope comes clear of the bollard immediately so there's less chance of it snagging

Hmmm, not convinced. A flick of the wrist is all it needs to get the rope off a canal hook or nail with pulling it all through as a fall-back if your technique doesn't work. I also like one end of the rope secured to the boat and the advantage of the double purchase.

 

[single]

Not sure i would trust it when lock is full flow, but might be good midships ready to go when main flow has stopped.Also might be handy when getting blown off a pontoon in a tight spot.

 

[prv]

Also might be handy when getting blown off a pontoon in a tight spot.

That's exactly what I tried to do a couple of weeks ago. Damn thing jammed solid and made my intended elegant departure rather the opposite!

I like it as a knot, and I'm always surprised how few people know it, but mooring warps are not a good application.

Pete

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I think you've got to look at the application it's designed for - holding a horse! A horse in general won't pull against a rope, the rope just "reminds" it that it is to stay put, so the knot doesn't need to take much strain. I'd be seriously worried about it either jamming or slipping under any substantial load.

 

[maxcampbell]

Nice knot if you want that function (I wish we'd been able to see the end of the rope), but why would you ever want to tie up in a lock? The water level is always changing. Most near-accidents I've seen in locks have been because boats tie up, then either hang on the way down, or wander about on the way up.

 

[prv]

Nice knot if you want that function (I wish we'd been able to see the end of the rope), but why would you ever want to tie up in a lock? The water level is always changing. Most near-accidents I've seen in locks have been because boats tie up, then either hang on the way down, or wander about on the way up.

Plenty of marina locks have floating pontoons along each side, so you can tie up and the cleat comes with you.

Pete

 

[maxcampbell]

Plenty of marina locks have floating pontoons along each side, so you can tie up and the cleat comes with you.

Pete

OK, get it - yes I have used ones like that.

 

[Stemar]

I can't see youtube, 'cos I'm at work, taking a break from trying to sort out a complicated mutli-if/and/or formula so my brain can unscramble itself, but it sounds as though you're talking about the highwayman's hitch, which I've also had mess up elegant depatures in difficult conditions.

If so, there's a better alternative, called a tumble hitch which I've promised myself that I'm going to learn and try: http://notableknotindex.webs.com/tumblehitch.html

 

[LadyInBed]

Short answer - No
I've a fair experience of locks (two circuits of the French canals). The technique is different for up locks to down locks, floating bollards, fixed vertical ropes, bollards or rings at the top.
You have to take them as they come, in most cases fore and aft lines looped back to boat and you control either fore or aft works. Up locks, you may have to go up the lock ladder, make off aft and control bow line with the rise.
Down locks, often just a centre line looped round a bollard and back down to you on the boat does a job. If it's a ring, jam a stone under the ring so your line runs free.
On down locks, watch out for gaps between the capping stones, they act like a jamming cleat, so have a knife to hand!
That was the long answer