9 Easy Knots for Boating
9 Simple Boating & Sailing Knots You Should Know
When it comes to boating equipment, there are many types of knots used for everything from securing line when mooring, handling heavy loads, towing and of course, adjusting your sails.
As boating experts at Van Isle Marina, we’ve narrowed it down to this list of 9 tied and true (pun intended) knots, hitches and bends. These knots will assist you with everything from anchoring to joining two different lines in a pinch. Armed with this basic knowledge, you can cast off with confidence.
Note: When in use, the end of a line is called the standing end. If hanging loose it’s known as the working end, sometimes referred to as the tail end.
The Knots
A knot is mainly used to secure a line to an object, like a piling. It is also used to form an eye, or a noose. Knots used at the end of a line can function as a stopper to keep the line from slipping away, a loop to fasten to an object, or to add weight to the line when tossing.
Bowline Knot
The bowline is the most widely used in boating. A bowline forms a fixed noose at the end of the line and can also be used to connect two lines. The bowline is a go-to because it doesn’t slip and the knot can easily be untied, no matter how tight it has become.
How to Tie a Bowline Knot
Make a loop in the line, with the working end over the standing end. The working end goes through the loop, around behind the standing end and back into the loop. To close the knot, pull tightly. To untie, turn the knot over and bend it downward to loosen it.
Figure Eight Knot
The figure eight is used as a stopper knot that can easily be undone. It’s most often used to keep a line from sliding away and should never be used for bearing a load.
How to Tie a Figure Eight Knot
Pass the working end over itself to form a loop then loop under and around the standing end. Finish the knot by passing the tail of the line down through the loop.
Heaving Line Knot
The heaving line knot is excellent for weighing down the end of a line, making it easier to throw the line farther and keep it under control.
How to Tie a Heaving Line Knot
Make a bight (loop) in the line and hold it so that it encloses the working end. Wrap the working end around the first two strands, then around all three to use up the line of the working end. Finish the knot by passing the working end through the loop.
Hitch
A hitch is commonly used for tying line together (bending) or tying line to an anchor or a pile. A well-tied hitch will hold tightly to whatever you need it to, and still untie quickly and easily.
Half Hitch
The half hitch is used to bear loads as well as tie line around an object. It’s also used to finish many other hitches securely.
How to Tie a Half Hitch
Form a loop around the object you want to tie on to. Pass the end around the standing end and through the loop then tighten into the completed half hitch, which is designed to take a load on the standing end.
Anchor Hitch
Used for tying anchor line to the anchor.
How to Tie an Anchor Hitch
Pass the working end twice around the post keeping the second turn slack. Pass the working end over the standing end and under the original slack turn to tie the first half hitch. Pass the line around the standing end to tie a second half hitch and finish the knot.
Cleat Hitch
The cleat hitch is used to attach line to a cleat. In sailing terms, a cleat is a T-shaped piece of metal or wood to which ropes are attached.
How to Tie a Cleat Hitch
Pass the line around the bottom horn of the cleat and then around over the top. Pull the line down across the middle and then up across the top again. Twist a loop in the line and hook it on the cleat as a half hitch.
Midshipman’s Hitch
The midshipman’s hitch creates an adjustable loop at the end of the line. Even though the loop can be adjusted, when used in combination with a half hitch, it provides a secure hold.
How to Tie a Midshipman’s Hitch
Pass the working end around the standing end then pass it around again. Tuck it beside the first turn and pull tightly. Pass the working end around again and then tie a half hitch to complete the knot.
Bend
A bend is used to connect two lines together. In sailing terms, bend means “to join”.
Sheet Bend
A sheet bend works well for joining different sized lines.
How to Tie a Sheet Bend
Form a bight (loop) in the thicker line and hold it in one hand. Pass the thinner line through the bight and behind first the working end and then the standing end. Tuck the thinner line under itself to finish.
Alpine Butterfly Bend
Based on interlocking overhand knots, the alpine butterfly bend is used to join similar sized lines.
How to Tie an Alpine Butterfly Bend
Join the two ends, then wind the line around your hand so the join is by your fingertips. Wind the line around your hand again, then fold the join back and up under the other lines. Push the knot off your hand and tighten. To finish the knot, release the temporary join.
Carrick Bend
The Carrick Bend is a great solution for a load-bearing bend that can be easily untied when no longer needed.
How to Tie a Carrick Bend
With one line, form a loop with the working end under the standing end. Pass the line under the loop of the other line and then over and under. Thread the working line across the loop passing under itself. To finish, pull both standing ends to tighten the knot.
The number of knots, bends and hitches out there is staggering. We narrowed it down to these nine sailing knots since they’re all simple to master and have many practical applications for boating. If you’d like to learn more, we recommend visiting Animated Knots for a complete list of knots used in yachting.
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