Which Knots?

[Victoria Sponge]

How many knots can you tie without having to think about it?

What are the yachtsman's/woman's essentials knots?

 

[Woodlouse]

Bowline,
Figure of eight,
Overhand knot,
Reef knot,
Sheet bend,
Double sheet bend,
Round turn and two half hitches,
Clove hitch.

I don't believe you ever really need to know more than those eight. That doesn't mean however that I can't tie a few others when I feel like it.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

My day to day (essential) knots are:

figure of eight
reef
clove hitch
round turn and two half hitches
rolling hitch
bowline
truckers hitch
double sheet bend
tugmans hitch

Others that come in handy sometimes (and provide entertainment on longer passages):

Monkeys fist
Carrick bend
rope ladder
noose
flying bowline (and other variant bowlines)
turks head

Oh, the fun we have...

Pete

 

[salinia]

There was a young sailor named Watts, who could not tie ropes to hold yachts, said he very glum I must blame my grandmum for she taught me to tie granny knots.

 

[Salty John]

I have used, mainly:
Rolling hitch, for attaching snubber to anchor chain, hammock to forestay.
Bowline, for sheets to jib and making a loop for a variety of docking purposes.
Clove hitch, for setting fenders on rail for coming alongside before switching to round turn and two half hitches to secure fenders to stanchion bases.
Double sheet bend for joining lines.
Reef knot for, er, reefing.
Figure of eight knot for the end of lines.
I've also used the odd specialist knot for specific purposes such as halyard to shackle, or constrictor knots when splicing.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

I have used, mainly:
Rolling hitch, for attaching snubber to anchor chain, hammock to forestay.
Bowline, for sheets to jib and making a loop for a variety of docking purposes.
Clove hitch, for setting fenders on rail for coming alongside before switching to round turn and two half hitches to secure fenders to stanchion bases.
Double sheet bend for joining lines.
Reef knot for, er, reefing.
Figure of eight knot for the end of lines.
I've also used the odd specialist knot for specific purposes such as halyard to shackle, or constrictor knots when splicing.

Great to have a use stated for each knot. I have to hold my hands up and admit that knots are not my strong point. I have trouble remembering how to tie them, so a few absolute essentials would be useful for me.

 

[tonijon]

reef
granny
Bowline
French bowline
figure of eight
round turn and two half hitches
clove hitch
granny knot
lighterman hitch

 

[prv]

Bowline,
Figure of eight,
Overhand knot,
Reef knot,
Sheet bend,
Double sheet bend,
Round turn and two half hitches,
Clove hitch.

I don't believe you ever really need to know more than those eight.

What!?! I use rolling hitches constantly

Otherwise I might agree with you as a basic list, although there are others I use as well:

Highwayman's hitch is handy for temporary securing of the dinghy, eg while others climb in.

I've used carrick bends for tow-ropes, although I do have to think slightly to get them right so might use a double sheet bend instead. Carrick is easier to untie though if it's been used a long time and tugged very tight.

Tugboat hitch - used to use this to secure the forecourse tack on a foredeck bollard on Stavros; now use it to tie off my new preventer round a winch drum on KS as there's no cleat handy (stupid design).

To get a purchase on lashings etc I use a knot that I was taught as a "bowline on the bight" although every other source seems to use the name for something else. It makes a non-slip loop in the middle of the rope that looks almost but not quite the same as a normal bowline - very handy but I can't seem to find a reference to it anywhere else.

I've even used a sheepshank in anger a couple of times

Pete

 

[guernseyman]

Hunter's bend for joining ropes, even of markedly different diameters, and straps.

 

[Tanqueray]

Just as important as knowing how to tie knots is being able to tie them quickly, and at at all angles (reaching up / down / under pontoons etc.).

A bowline can save life, you should be able to (genuinely) tie it with both eyes firmly shut and one hand behind your back.

All of the common knots / bends / hitches mentioned above are capable of being made in the dark and without looking at the rope itself.

 

[Tanqueray]

Just as important as knowing how to tie knots is being able to tie them quickly, and at at all angles (reaching up / down / under pontoons etc.).

A bowline can save life, you should be able to (genuinely) tie it with both eyes firmly shut and one hand behind your back (there is a good reason).

All of the common knots / bends / hitches mentioned above are capable of being made in the dark and without looking at the rope itself.

 

[aristotle]

try www.animatedknots.com

 

[fergie_mac66]

Bowline,
Figure of eight,
Overhand knot,
Reef knot,
Sheet bend,
Double sheet bend,
Round turn and two half hitches,
Clove hitch.

I don't believe you ever really need to know more than those eight. That doesn't mean however that I can't tie a few others when I feel like it.

rolling hitch pretty important and esy to learn ties one line to another standing line

 

[CoVianna]

try www.animatedknots.com

Your a mind reader sir! Just the site I was Googling for!

 

[jerrytug]

Wouldn't OXXO to a pontoon cleat be in the top five?:-D

 

[Sgeir]

Jimi put it in verse.

 

[Poignard]

I learnt a new one recently - a tumble hitch. Looks like it might be useful when singlehanded and springing the stern off a pontoon

 

[Dab]

"Wouldn't OXXO to a pontoon cleat be in the top five?"

I suspect that OXO is not technically a knot, but it does the same job as a knot so I would have it on my list. Not for a pontoon cleat though. I would have a loop on the pontoon cleat and the OXO on my boat cleat.

 

[Lakesailor]

Re-opening old wounds. I'd use a locking turn.

As for knots, just;

reef
bowline
round turn and two half hitches

and maybe

figure of eight
clove hitch

Still, I only sail on a pond.

__________________

 

[Greg2]

Bowline,
Figure of eight,
Overhand knot,
Reef knot,
Sheet bend,
Double sheet bend,
Round turn and two half hitches,
Clove hitch.

I don't believe you ever really need to know more than those eight. That doesn't mean however that I can't tie a few others when I feel like it.

During my RN training this was the list of essential knots, with the exception of the overhand knot. The key issue is to use the right knot for the right purpose as they are intended to be easy to undo after being under load