Which Knots?

I was taught to use figure of eights as a stopper knot at Emsworth Sailing School (run by Crab Searle and no longer there unfortunately) in 1974.. old habits die hard and I use them to this day on the end of the jib sheets......

I learnt to sail there too (and how to tie a figure of eight stopper knot , for the Wayfarer's jib sheet) probably in 1976. My first holiday away from my parents. I stayed with a family recommended by the school.

Can anyone identify this stopper knot from just the description! I use as a decorative stopper on my mainsheet (and also the bit of braid I hang my boots from!).

It is a bit like a hangmans noose but without the noose or a nail knot http://animatedknots.com/nailknot/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com without the other thicker line.

I can show someone tie it but would struggle to explain how other than you put a half twist and then loosely wrap the bitter end back up its own standing part and then pass it back through the stack of loops and pull tight.

If no-one gets it I'll have to post a piccy.

It could be a bucket or halyard hitch.
 
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Bowline
Figure of eight
Reef knot
Sheet bend
Double sheet bend
Round turn and two half hitches
Clove hitch
Rolling hitch

Right then, I'll be practising forthwith....

As I have single line reefing, and hence don't use a reef knot for that purpose, I'm still trying to think of a use for that one on board my boat. It does have an appealing symmetry and simplicity about it, though, so it should still be on your list for purely aesthetic reasons.:)

You could probably give the sheet bend a miss and progress to the more secure (and only a tiny bit more difficult) double version is you are trying to minimise your task!;)
 
As I have single line reefing, and hence don't use a reef knot for that purpose, I'm still trying to think of a use for that one on board my boat.

S'a fair point. I do have reef points, which I do up with a slipped reef knot (almost a shoelace bow :) ) but I can't think of anything else I use it for and mine is a fairly traditional rope-festooned boat.

Pete
 
Very nice

Had to resize your pic as it was massive. :)

Crabber.jpg
 
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Reef knots can be useful for lots of purposes, for instance tying the sail cover on (they usually have a cord around the mast), or tying lines away from the mast to the spreaders.

Reef knots are very easy to undo in most circumstances, you just pull both ends on one side or the other and the knot "breaks" and can be slid apart nicely.
 
Reef knots can be useful for lots of purposes, for instance tying the sail cover on (they usually have a cord around the mast), or tying lines away from the mast to the spreaders.

Oh, I didn't say that had no use - just no use on my boat.

The bit of my sail cover that goes round the mast (i.e. not the stackpack) wraps around mast and attaches to itself with velcro and a plastic clippy thing (at least I think that is the technical term for it ;)).

As for keeping lines away from the mast, I do that with bungies with a loop and a different plastic clippy thing.

No reef knots!
 
"Clove Hitch" has been variously mentioned.

What for?

For me and, I suspect, for most others who use it regularly, it has but one use: for attaching fenders to guardwires. Quick to tie, easy to adjust (to lengthen or to shorten) and fairly reliable (even though I have read somewhere that it can slip if only end of the rope is under load).

For me this is a temporary way to attach them. If leaving the boat tied up for anything more than a few hours, then I prefer to tie them to the stanchion bases with a round tun and two half hitches.
 
"Clove Hitch" has been variously mentioned.

What for?

I use it quite often for tying onto bollards quickly. Just make two loops put one behind the other, drop over the post and voila. You can then add two half hitches to secure when you're ready. Useful if you're short handed and can't adjust the length of your lines from on board.
 
"Clove Hitch" has been variously mentioned.

What for?

Any number of lashings etc. Fenders (I know people say it's not secure but I've never lost one). Fixing a boathook to the shroud or forestay for poling out (staysail or jib respectively). The cockpit tent.

Lots of things.

Pete
 
I do have reef points, which I do up with a slipped reef knot (almost a shoelace bow :) ) but I can't think of anything else I use it for and mine is a fairly traditional rope-festooned boat.

Just realised my anchor lashings finish with reef knots.

Pete
 
Any number of lashings etc. Fenders (I know people say it's not secure but I've never lost one). Fixing a boathook to the shroud or forestay for poling out (staysail or jib respectively). The cockpit tent.

Lots of things.

Well, I appreciate you could use it for lots of things, but it strikes me that a round turn is just as suitable for all those, and more secure.
 
Originally Posted by xxyyzz
"Clove Hitch" has been variously mentioned.

What for?

Hi all.

Sorry for barging in. This is my first post - couldn't find anywhere else to say g'day.

Clove hitch - fenders, holding halyards with cords etc.

I'm not really happy about them unless they're under continuous load, or have a few half-hitches after them for insurance.

Excuse the interruption again...
 
Well, I appreciate you could use it for lots of things, but it strikes me that a round turn is just as suitable for all those, and more secure.

Ah, but a round turn and two half hitches is itself a use of a clove hitch, isn't it?

Not sure a round turn and two half hitches would be a valid replacement for the poling out:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6665&d=1282170358

That's a clove hitch round the pole and two rolling hitches on the shrouds.

Pete
 
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