8 Marine Knots Every Boater Should Know
Before you take your boat out on the water, learn these easy knots to make sure you stay safe and secure.
Master The Art Of Tying These Essential Knots
If you are planning to spend time on the open water, it is essential to become familiar with different types of knots and understand how they are best suited to a wide range of scenarios. You must be able to tie secure knots in a matter of seconds. Despite advancements in marine technology over the years, knots are still an essential tool for keeping equipment safely fastened aboard a vessel and different knots were created for different functions. A poorly tied knot can make all the difference between safety and disaster. Mastering the art of knot-tying has always been an essential skill for sailors, and it has remained largely unchanged since ancient times.
Interestingly, the term ‘knot’ originates from the way early sailors measured their ship's speed. Knots were tied at regular intervals along a rope (one knot every 14.3 meters). The rope was then thrown overboard, trailing behind the ship as it sailed. By counting how many knots passed in a given time, sailors could determine the vessel's speed.
Whether you're embarking on a leisurely day trip or a long voyage, here are some essential knots you need to master before venturing out on the water.
1. Bowline Knot
Known as “The king of knots,” the bowline is arguably the most versatile knot for sailing. Its key advantage is that it tightens securely under load, but can be easily undone when not under tension. To tie a bowline, start by creating a loop, then pass the free end of the rope through the loop. Next, wrap the rope around the standing line and back through the loop before tightening it.
2. Square Knot Reef
Otherwise known as the reef knot, it is the perfect knot for joining two ropes together, but be cautious—it’s not the strongest knot and should only be used for non-critical purposes. To tie it, place the two rope ends parallel to each other. Cross one rope over the other, then under, and over again, until the ropes are intertwined. Pull tight to secure the knot. It can be a helpful knot to use if you tying a sail cover over a sail.
3. Cleat Hitch Knot
The cleat hitch is a fast and simple knot, ideal for securing your boat when docking. Despite its simplicity, it’s surprisingly strong—perfect for keeping your boat safe from any would-be thieves. To tie a cleat hitch, start by looping the rope around the cleat of your vessel. Wrap the rope around the cleat and under the horn, then pass it under the cleat, over the horn, and across the cleat to form an 'X'. Twist the rope to make a turn, slide it over the cleat horn, and tighten to secure it.
4. Clove Hitch
The clove hitch is useful when you need to fasten a line to a rail or pole. It's commonly used by sailors to keep coils of rope neatly organized on the deck. To tie a clove hitch, wrap the line around the rail or pole, then wrap it around once more, creating a figure-eight shape. Finally, pass the rope under the crossing point of the figure-eight to complete the knot.
5. Rolling Hitch Knot
The rolling hitch is the ideal knot for attaching a rope to a rod or pole when you want to prevent slippage. To tie it, start by coiling the rope around the pole in the direction of the pull. Then, coil it again in the opposite direction. For the third coil, wrap the rope above the standing line, avoiding crossing over the previous coil. Finally, pass the free end under the first coil and pull tight to secure the knot.
6. Figure Of Eight Knot
The figure-eight knot, also known as the Flemish knot, is a reliable way to join two ropes together more securely than the reef knot. It's also commonly used as a stopper knot to prevent a rope or cord from slipping through an eyelet. To tie a figure-eight knot, start by passing the tail of the rope over itself to form a loop. Then, pass the end of the rope through the loop and pull both sides tight. The completed knot will resemble the shape of a figure eight.
7. Single Sheet Bend Knot
If you find yourself needing to tie two ropes of different sizes together, the single sheet bend is the perfect knot for the job. To tie it, pass the end of the thinner rope through the thicker rope, then wrap it around and tuck it under itself. Finally, hold the end of the thicker rope and pull to tighten the knot securely.
8. Double Half Hitch Knot
The two half hitches knot is used to attach a rope to a fixed object, such as a pole or a ring, and is known for its reliability. As the saying goes, "Two half hitches saved a Queen’s ship." To tie two half hitches, start by wrapping the rope around the support, then pass the end through the loop. Next, wrap the rope around the standing line and tighten to secure the knot.
If you are new to boating and want to learn the basics you might be interested in reading How to use a boat trim to your advantage.
