Line Handling And Knots For Day Sailing and Cruising

This is an outline of a hands-on class I teach. References are listed below.

1.      Line coiling (docking lines, sheets stowed after sailing). animation (Use Figure 8 coil only!)

2.      Line heaving

3.      Cleating  animation

4.      Coiling and hanging up halyards  animation

5.      Using a winch

6.      Knots: How to tie and when to use:

a.       Stopper knots (‡figure eight animation, blood or double overhand knot animation), to keep from losing lines

b.      ‡Square or reef knot animation, slippery hitch (slipped reef knot) animation, double-slipped, to tie up packages, tie in intermediate reef points (not too tight!), sail ties

c.       ‡Clove hitch animation, larks head animation ‡round turn and two half hitches animation, to tie lines for temporary docking, sheets to jibs, and to tie on fenders

d.      ‡Buntline hitch animation, to tie lines to attachment points when your really want them to stay (for example, halyard shackles); also, knute hitch

e.       ‡Bowline animation, for a fixed loop to tie on a temporary sheet, for rescue loops (but not best for self rescue animation), for throwing over a bollard – tie it fast with a twist of the wrist!

f.      ‡Rolling hitch animation, adjustable one-way sliding loop, to attach a line to another (clearing winch override), around yourself for self-rescue, to an attachment point (to tighten awnings or tents), or to a pipe or pulpit

g.       ‡Sheet bend animation, ‡sliding knots animation, to tie two lines together

    h.       If time available, tugboat hitch, lineman’s loop (alpine butterfly knot) animation

‡The most important ones. I show the other knots listed, but we don’t practice them.

Website with animated knots, the source of all animations above: 

Grogono's Animated Knots

Reference books:

The following are two reference books that I believe every serious sailor should own, and they both include good sections on line handling and knots. They are my "authorities" on up-to-date good practice:

1. Chapman Piloting: Seamanship & Boat Handling, 65th Edition, (Sept. 2006) by Elbert S. Maloney, Charles Frederic Chapman. This covers both power and sail boating, includes "everything" from basic definitions to navigation, weather, etc., etc.

2. The Annapolis Book Of Seamanship, Third Edition, (Sept. 1999) by John Rousmaniere, Mark Smith illus. This one is focused on sailing and provides great tips on sailing techniques. Like Chapman, it is encyclopedic.

Knot books I consulted:

Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots & Ropework, by Geoffrey Budworth, Barnes & Noble Jan 2003. It's large, all gorgeous color photos, almost all correct, and almost all complete. Out of print. Similar Budworth books are available.

The Essential Book of Knots, by Colin Jarman. A good selection of knots, with black and white “how to” line drawings. Jarman is a prolific writer and editor of knot  books. His latest may be Knots & Splices, by Cyrus L. Day, Revised by Colin Jarmin (2006).

Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work, by Raoul Graumont, John Hensel. Relies on text to tell you how to tie knots, which are shown finished in black and white photos, about 30 to a page. First published in 1939, the 1952 4^th edition retains the 1930’s look. Lots of knots.

The Ashley Book of Knots, by Clifford W. Ashley, is supposedly the knot encyclopedia. It’s expensive, “quaintly” drawn, and padded (it’s organized by application, and manages to show the buntline hitch on eight different pages!). It does have a lot of knots, but not all under the names you might expect.

Knowing the Ropes: Selecting, Rigging, and Handling Lines Aboard, by Roger C. Taylor, has clear “how to” black and white line drawings. More than just knots.

Handbook of Knots, by Des Pawson, Expanded edition (May 2004). Very clear step-by-step "how-to" color pictures. Useful info on rope and rope characteristics as well as knots. 

November 24, 2007