Knots and Lines Flashcards
What is a “bowline” used for?
A non-slip loop at the end of a rope.
- “Most important knot of all”
- Securing a boat to a cleat or post
- Fastening a sheet to a foresail
- Man overboard procedure
How do you tie a bowline?
- –6 (6 figure, under over)
- Through the loop (under over)
- Under and over the top of the 6
- Over the top of the 6 loop and through it
What is a “Clove Hitch” used for?
One way of attaching a line to a guardrail.
- Useful for fenders, as it can slide easily.
- Requires an extra half-hitch if left for a long time.
How do you tie a clove hitch?
- Over and behind guardrail to the left
- Over the rope, to the right, making an X
- Over and behind guardrail to the right.
- Under the crossing wire, like an “H”, upwards, and pulled tight
What is a “Round turn and two half-hitches” used for?
A secure way of attaching a line to a guardrail.
- Useful for securing a line to the base of a cleat
- Useful for securing to a ring
- Used for attaching fenders.
How do you tie a round turn and two half-hitches?
- Over and behind guardrail to the left
- Wrap back over and behind again to the left.
- Wrap in front (to right) and behind (left) the line.
- Move rope forward through the loop created above.
- (Do the last two steps again but lower).
What is a “Figure of Eight” used for?
“Stopper knot”
-Used to stop a rope running through a block
How do you tie a figure of eight?
- Make a loop (left and over)
- Go behind the line and through the loop.
What is a “Reef Knot” used for?
Tying two lines of equal size together.
-Shortening a mainsail
How do you tie a reef knot?
- Have one of the lines in a parabola
- Get the other line over, under, over to the right.
- Cross to the other side of the parabola (left)
- Go over under over the other line to the right.
- Pull the line through
What is a “Sheet bend” used for?
Tying two lines of different length together.
- Used for mooring lines
- End of each rope should end up on the same side
How do you tie a sheet bend?
- Make a U shape with the end of one rope (end at left)
- With the other rope come under the U from the right.
- Cross and go over the left side of the U
- Go under and cross the U to the right side
- Go under the right of the U
- Pass left, between the first crossing and the left side of the U.
- Come out to the left.
What is a “rolling hitch” used for?
Securing a line to a guardrail and sliding in one direction.
How do you tie a rolling hitch?
- Round turn to the right
- Line crossed over the initial line to the left.
- Line goes behind rail in a turn, then comes under the crossing in step 2, then finishes pointing up.
What is a “fore spring” line?
A line that holds the bow to the aft shore cleat
What is a “back spring” line?
A line that holds the stern to the forward shore cleat.
What is a “shoreline”?
A line that holds the bow to the forward shore cleat, or the stern to the aftward shore cleat.
What is a “bow breast” and “stern breast” line?
A line which holds the bow/stern to the bow/stern of another boat.
Why are both shorelines and spring lines needed?
Shoreline: Stop the boat moving away from the shore
Spring lines: Stop the boat moving forward and aftward along the shore.
How long should the anchor cable be if it’s all chain?
4x the maximum expected depth.
How long should the anchor cable be if it’s a chain and rope mix?
6-7x the maximum expected depth.
What is a “Tripping line”?
A line that can be attached to the crown of the anchor, used to free the anchor from potential rocks/debris on the seabed.
