KNOTS ON BOARD

KNOTS ON BOARD
An Overview of the most Important Maritime Knots
REEF KNOT
BOW LINE
ROLLING HITCH
The reef knot is used to tie together two ends of the same
strength. Important: The two short ends must be on the same
side!
The bow line forms an eye shape that does not tighten
when supporting a heavy load. For example, it is used
to tie down bitts and to secure people.
Important: The short end is on the outside of the eye!
A rolling hitch is used to attach a leader line (red)
onto a continuous towing cable (blue).
Important: The towing direction must be adhered to. Where the towing direction is the other
way round the knot must also be tied laterally
reversed.
TYING DOWN
CLEATS
A cleat is tied down with
crosslays and secured with
a bitter.
SIMPLE SHEET BEND
The simple sheet bend ties together ends with unequal strengths ( =
thicknesses) or made from different materials.
Important: the stronger end always forms
the bight!
Bow line with
inward-facing end
For fastening the clews
of the jib.
Advantage: thanks to
the inward-facing end,
the bow line cannot get
caught on the shrouds.
DOUBLE SHEET BEND
CLOVE HITCH
The double sheet bend ties together ends with unequal strengths
( = thicknesses) or made from different materials. It should particularly be
used for slippery ends.
Important: the stronger end always
forms the bight!
The clove hitch is used to tie down bitts and poles and
also to attach the fender onto the bulwark.
TOWED VEHICLE
1 1/2 TURN WITH TWO
HALF HITCHES
One and a half turn with two half hitches creates
a secure connection with a ring (e.g. to secure a
dinghy to a ring on the jetty).
Slipped clove
hitch knot
FIGURE-EIGHT KNOT
TOWING VEHICLE
For short-term tying
down and quick untying.
AREAS OF
APPLICATION
FOR ROPES
Laid rope with a breaking
load and high elasticity.
• Anchor lines
• Towing cables
• Mooring lines
Laid rope with a breaking
load and low stretch.
• Main halyard
• jib halyard
The figure-eight knot secures the end of a rope from running out of a
retaining device. It is found at the end of every sheet.
Maritime knots always offer 3 advantages
• They are very quick and easy to produce
• They hold securely and reliably under strain (when being tugged)
• They are easy to undo once the strain has been removed
Braided, smooth rope (comfortable to hold in the hand)
• Sheets
Buoyant rope
• Ropes on life-saving
equipment