Lines and Knots for Lines and Knots for Your BoatYour Boat

byby

Nancy FreeNancy Free

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Marlinespike Marlinespike SeamanshipSeamanship

• Art of handling and working with Art of handling and working with roperope

• This includesThis includes– Knowledge of rope materials and Knowledge of rope materials and

constructionconstruction

– How to care for your linesHow to care for your lines

– Difference between knots, bends, and Difference between knots, bends, and hitcheshitches

– Basic knots to know and their usesBasic knots to know and their uses

• Hands on knot practiceHands on knot practice

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Lines vs. RopesLines vs. Ropes

• Rope is what you buy at the store Rope is what you buy at the store on a spool.on a spool.

• Lines are pieces of rope cut to Lines are pieces of rope cut to length and put in service.length and put in service.

• Exceptions are bell ropes. bolt and Exceptions are bell ropes. bolt and foot ropes on sails.foot ropes on sails.

• Some lines have special names - Some lines have special names - painters on small boats, painters on small boats, lead lines, anchor rodes.lead lines, anchor rodes.

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Three Types of Rope Three Types of Rope MaterialsMaterials

• Natural FibersNatural Fibers

• SyntheticsSynthetics

• Wires (stainless and galvanized)Wires (stainless and galvanized)

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Rope MaterialsRope MaterialsNatural FibersNatural Fibers

• Natural fibers includeNatural fibers includeManila (strongest), cotton, sisal, Manila (strongest), cotton, sisal, hemp, jute, and flaxhemp, jute, and flax

• Manila and cotton are the only Manila and cotton are the only ones commonly used today.ones commonly used today.

• Natural fibers have disadvantages.Natural fibers have disadvantages.– are weaker than syntheticsare weaker than synthetics

– shrink when wetshrink when wet

– are subject to rotare subject to rot

• Used mainly on tall shipsUsed mainly on tall ships

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Synthetic FibersSynthetic Fibers

• AdvantagesAdvantages– MUCH stronger than natural fibers, MUCH stronger than natural fibers,

wet or drywet or dry

– Don’t shrink when wet like natural Don’t shrink when wet like natural fibersfibers

– Resist rot, mildew, acids, and alkalisResist rot, mildew, acids, and alkalis

• DisadvantagesDisadvantages– Slippery, don’t hold knots and splices Slippery, don’t hold knots and splices

as wellas well

– May be damaged by heat and UV May be damaged by heat and UV lightlight

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Synthetic FibersSynthetic FibersNylonNylon

• AdvantagesAdvantages– Strongest commonly used fiberStrongest commonly used fiber

– Won’t rotWon’t rot

– Most elastic of all fibers – good for Most elastic of all fibers – good for lines subject to shock (examples?)lines subject to shock (examples?)

• DisadvantagesDisadvantages– Very elastic – bad for lines that need Very elastic – bad for lines that need

to be taut (examples?)to be taut (examples?)

– Dangerous if it breaks under strainDangerous if it breaks under strain

– Slippery, unravels easilySlippery, unravels easily

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Synthetic FibersSynthetic FibersPolyester (Dacron)Polyester (Dacron)

• AdvantagesAdvantages– Much less elastic than nylonMuch less elastic than nylon

useful for lines that must be tautuseful for lines that must be taut

– Nearly as strong as nylonNearly as strong as nylon

– More pliable than nylonMore pliable than nylon

• DisadvantagesDisadvantages– Chafes easily under strainChafes easily under strain

– Much less elastic than nylon;Much less elastic than nylon;not good for lines subject tonot good for lines subject toshock.shock.

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Synthetic FibersSynthetic FibersPolyolefin (polyethylene, Polyolefin (polyethylene,

polypropylene)polypropylene)

• AdvantagesAdvantages– They float (examples of use?)They float (examples of use?)

– Cheapest fibersCheapest fibers

• DisadvantagesDisadvantages– Degrade and weaken in sunlightDegrade and weaken in sunlight

– Weakest syntheticsWeakest synthetics

– Stiff and slippery; knots may come Stiff and slippery; knots may come undoneundone

– Rough and hard on the handsRough and hard on the hands

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Other Types of Rope Other Types of Rope MaterialsMaterials

• Wire rope (usually stainless steel)Wire rope (usually stainless steel)– Used for standing or permanent rigging on Used for standing or permanent rigging on

sailboats, davitssailboats, davits

– Maximum strength and little stretchMaximum strength and little stretch

– Tends to be stiff and inflexibleTends to be stiff and inflexible

– May snag and cut handsMay snag and cut hands

• Shock CordShock Cord– Rubber strands covered with synthetic fiberRubber strands covered with synthetic fiber

– Used to tie down loadsUsed to tie down loads

• Webbing (woven nylon)Webbing (woven nylon)– Strong, holds knots wellStrong, holds knots well

– Used for tie downs, Used for tie downs, sail stopssail stops

Rope ConstructionRope ConstructionLaid RopeLaid Rope

• Most rope is right laid. Coil with Most rope is right laid. Coil with the lay to avoid kinks.the lay to avoid kinks.

• To construct laid ropeTo construct laid rope– Fibers are twisted into yarns.Fibers are twisted into yarns.

– Yarns are twisted in the opposite Yarns are twisted in the opposite direction into strands.direction into strands.

– Strands are twisted in the original Strands are twisted in the original direction to form rope.direction to form rope.

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Rope ConstructionRope ConstructionBraided RopeBraided Rope

• Made of interwoven strandsMade of interwoven strands• Smoother and easier on the hands Smoother and easier on the hands

than laid ropethan laid rope• Can be single or double braidedCan be single or double braided• Double braided has an inner core Double braided has an inner core

and is stronger than laid rope of and is stronger than laid rope of same size.same size.

• More expensive than laid ropeMore expensive than laid rope

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Care of LinesCare of Lines

Keep Keep allall lines, synthetic or natural lines, synthetic or natural• Dry and well ventilated to prevent Dry and well ventilated to prevent

mildewmildew

• Free of kinksFree of kinks

• Free of dirt, oil, acid; wash after Free of dirt, oil, acid; wash after wetting with sea waterwetting with sea water

• Run bow lines through a chock. Run bow lines through a chock. Use chafing gear on lines subject Use chafing gear on lines subject to wear.to wear.

• Inspect lines for wear every season.Inspect lines for wear every season.

• Whip lines to keep them from Whip lines to keep them from coming unlaid.coming unlaid.

Care of LinesCare of Lines

• Coil up lines when stowing them.Coil up lines when stowing them.• Fake (or flake) down lines that Fake (or flake) down lines that

have to run out fast without kinks.have to run out fast without kinks.• Flemish a line lying on a flat Flemish a line lying on a flat

surface to give it a neat, flat look.surface to give it a neat, flat look.

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Types of KnotsTypes of Knots

• Anything you tie in a line is a knot Anything you tie in a line is a knot (general sense of knot).(general sense of knot).

• A A knotknot, in the strict sense, is tied in , in the strict sense, is tied in a single line.a single line.– Square knotSquare knot

• A A bendbend is a knot that ties two lines is a knot that ties two lines together.together.– Sheet bendSheet bend

• A A hitchhitch is a knot that ties a line to is a knot that ties a line to an object.an object.– Clove hitchClove hitch– Rolling hitchRolling hitch

Overhand KnotOverhand Knot

• Simplest, easiest knot to tie.Simplest, easiest knot to tie.• It’s a “not” knot. It’s a “not” knot. • Limited use as a “stopper knot” or Limited use as a “stopper knot” or

to keep a line from fraying.to keep a line from fraying.• Weakens line strength by 50%.Weakens line strength by 50%.• May be useful as the start of more May be useful as the start of more

complex knots.complex knots.

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Figure Eight KnotFigure Eight Knot

• Used by sailors as a stopper knot Used by sailors as a stopper knot to keep the end of a line from to keep the end of a line from running through a block or pulleyrunning through a block or pulley

• Bulkier and better as a stopper Bulkier and better as a stopper knot than an overhand knot knot than an overhand knot

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Square Knot Square Knot (Reef Knot)(Reef Knot)

• Used forUsed for– reefing or furling sailsreefing or furling sails

– tying bags, packages, and shoestying bags, packages, and shoes

• Tie it only in single line or two Tie it only in single line or two similar lines. (It’s a similar lines. (It’s a knotknot.).)

• Dangerous if used to tie unlike Dangerous if used to tie unlike lines; capsizes under strainlines; capsizes under strain

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Sheet Bend, Becket Sheet Bend, Becket Bend, Weaver’s KnotBend, Weaver’s Knot• Use it to tieUse it to tie– two dissimilar lines togethertwo dissimilar lines together

– a small line to a becket* a small line to a becket* (loop in a line)(loop in a line)

• Make the sheet bend double or Make the sheet bend double or triple for securitytriple for security

• Make it “slippery” for ease in Make it “slippery” for ease in untyinguntying

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Clove Hitch Clove Hitch

• Use it to tieUse it to tie– a line to a rail or piling a line to a rail or piling temporarilytemporarily

– fenders to a railingfenders to a railing

• Easy to untie (esp. if it’s slipped.)Easy to untie (esp. if it’s slipped.)• Tends to come undone unless Tends to come undone unless

under constant tensionunder constant tension

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Round Turn & Two Round Turn & Two Half HitchesHalf Hitches

• Use to tie a line to an objectUse to tie a line to an object“A round turn an two half hitches “A round turn an two half hitches will hold most anything.”will hold most anything.”

• More permanent and secure than More permanent and secure than a clove hitch, harder to untiea clove hitch, harder to untie

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Anchor BendAnchor Bend

• Most secure hitch to attach a line Most secure hitch to attach a line to an object such as a ring or postto an object such as a ring or post

• Use to attach a line to an anchor Use to attach a line to an anchor or a fishhookor a fishhook

• Similar to a round turn and two Similar to a round turn and two half hitcheshalf hitches

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Rolling HitchRolling Hitch

• Used toUsed to– tie a smaller line to the standing part tie a smaller line to the standing part

of another a line under a loadof another a line under a load

– make an adjustable loop by tying the make an adjustable loop by tying the working end to the standing part of working end to the standing part of the same linethe same line

– tie a flag to a flag halyardtie a flag to a flag halyard

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BowlineBowline“King of Knots”“King of Knots”

• Forms a non-slip loop that’s easily Forms a non-slip loop that’s easily untieduntied

• Called the “king of knots” because Called the “king of knots” because of its many uses (Suggestions?)of its many uses (Suggestions?)

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Cleat HitchCleat Hitch

• SecuresSecures a line to a horn cleat a line to a horn cleat• To tie it - To tie it - – Take only one full turn around the Take only one full turn around the

base of the cleat.base of the cleat.

– Make one figure eight turn around Make one figure eight turn around both horns.both horns.

– To make it more secure, finish with To make it more secure, finish with an under hand loop (weather hitch)an under hand loop (weather hitch)

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Lead LinesLead Lines

• A line with a lead weight used to A line with a lead weight used to measure water depth To use itmeasure water depth To use it– Mark the line at intervals. Mark the line at intervals.

– Coil the line and throw the lead out Coil the line and throw the lead out in front of the boat.in front of the boat.

– When the line stands vertical, note When the line stands vertical, note the marker just above the water.the marker just above the water.

Dipping the EyeDipping the Eye

• Technique to use when tying to a Technique to use when tying to a piling where another boat is tied.piling where another boat is tied.

• Avoids putting your line on top of Avoids putting your line on top of the one already there.the one already there.

• ““Dip the eye” by bringing the loop Dip the eye” by bringing the loop of your line through the eye of the of your line through the eye of the first line and then over the post.first line and then over the post.

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Knot RodeoKnot Rodeo

• Find a sign for a knot that you Find a sign for a knot that you don’t already know.don’t already know.

• Go to the station for that knot and Go to the station for that knot and watch the demo and ask questions.watch the demo and ask questions.

• Get as much hands-on time as Get as much hands-on time as time permits. You can’t learn time permits. You can’t learn from looking at pictures.from looking at pictures.

• Practice, practice, practice is the Practice, practice, practice is the only way to learn.only way to learn.