Chapter 1
Introduction
In order for rope to be useful on a boat you need to be able to know how to work its ends and ensure they link up solidly with other elements of the rigging. Ropes can be used for mooring, anchoring, towing, and fastening. On a sailboat ropes can be used for raising sails, trimming sails, holding up the mast, and countless other tasks. Once rope is placed on a boat it is referred to as line. Knots serve just as many tasks. They are used to tie the halyards to the sails, the sheets to the boom and traveler, as well as cleat the boat to the dock.
Rope is measured by its diameter and by the load that it will support without breaking. Common sizes range from 1/8” to 3/4”. Different types of ropes have different characteristics. Natural rope, which is made from vegetable fibers, was used for thousands of years but has mostly been replaced. It is easy to work with but will weaken quickly once weathered. During World War II a need for a more abundant material was created and as a result synthetic rope-making materials were produced. Most ropes used today are synthetic ropes because of their superior strength qualities and ability to resist rotting, although UV rays can damage them. The chart below shows traits of four common types of rope.
|
TYPE |
ADVANTAGE |
DISADVANTAGE |
TENSILE STRENGTH (3/8” diameter) |
|
Nylon (Polyamide) |
Little stretch until 25% of breaking strength at which point its stretches a lot. |
Vulnerable to UV rays. |
4200 lbs |
|
Dacron (Polyester) |
Highly elastic until 25% of breaking strength, then little to no stretch after that. Durable against UV rays. |
Expensive and not as strong as nylon. |
3600 lbs |
|
Polypropylene |
Low elasticity and inexpensive. Great for mooring because it floats |
Highly vulnerable to UV rays and weak. |
2500 lbs |
|
Manila (Natural) |
Cheap and easier to splice. Best price for natural line. |
Weaker, heavier, will rot and not as strong as most |
1350 lbs |
Figure 8
This knot is used as a stopper knot. It is easy to take apart when needed, even after heavy load is applied and the line has been wet.
Make a bight in the end of the line. Take the bitter end of the line and wrap it around the other half of the bight. Complete the knot by placing the bitter end through the eye of the bight and pulling tight.
Bowline
This knot is used to create a loop at the end of a line. It becomes stronger with greater load and can be easily take apart with one hand.
Make a small overhand loop in the line (bitter end of the rope on top of the fixed end). Take the bitter end and pass it through the bottom of the overhand loop, creating a larger loop. (This larger loop is what you are trying to create) With the remaining length of the bitter end, go around the back of the fixed end and then into the overhand loop from the topside. Pull tightly and evenly.
Square Knot
This knot is used to secure two bitter ends together. It can come apart on its own although it does become stronger with increasing load. Like most knots used in boating, it can be taken apart easily after heavy load is applied and when wet.
Start by holding one of the bitter ends in each hand. Cross the line in your right hand over the one in your left hand and tie an over hand knot like you would when tying your shoe. Do this one more time but cross the new left line over the new right line. (Right over left, Left over right)
If tied incorrectly you will get a useless Granny knot.
Cleat Hitch
This knot is used to secure a loaded end of a line. It can be used wherever there is a cleat.
Make a loop around the cleat making sure to go under the horn of the cleat furthest from the load first. Once the loop around the cleat is done, cross over the top of the cleat and under the horn that you first went under. (In the opposite direction) Complete the hitch by making an underhand loop and hooking it on the second horn and pulling the hitch taught.
OTHER KNOTS OF INTEREST
Sheet Bend
Used to join to lines of different diameters. This knot will come apart easily and is easily tied.
Make a bight in the larger diameter line. Take the bitter end of the smaller diameter line and pass it through and around the bight of the first line. Weave the bitter end of the smaller line over the fixed end of the bight, under the bitter end of the smaller line and then over the bitter end of the bight.
Clove Hitch
