Uses…
The figure of 8 is used as a stopper knot, functioning to prevent a rope running through a jam cleat for example.
Uses…
A good knot to tie a rope to something else. For example, a round turn and two half hitches can be used to tie a boat up to other objects, though it is preferable to use it where the knot will remain out of the water.
One major advantage of the round turn and two half hitches is that it is easily undone when under load. We always tie boats up to steps using round turn and two half hitches, just incase the tide falls and the line is under load.
Uses…
The bowline forms a loop that does not slip tighter under load. Bowlines are less likely to come undone when in water, so are good for tying up to moorings.
The main thing to remember about a bowline is that the knot itself becomes tighter when under strain, so is next to impossible to untie if you can’t release the load. Therefore we don’t use the bowline to tie a boat up to a set of steps, just in case the tide goes out – you can’t undo the knot!
Uses…
The clove hitch can be used to tie a rope to a pole or rod. The one thing to remember is that the knot comes undone if its not underload.
The tension, or pull by what the other end of the rope is secured to, must be at right angles to the knot/pole.
Uses…
You can use a rolling hitch to secure a rope to a pole or other rope. It can take load lenghtways along that pole or rope, as opposed to right angles like the clove hitch.
Like the clove hitch, it comes undone if not under tension.
4
Uses…
Used to tie two ropes of the same diametre (width) together.
Uses…
The sheet bend can be used to tie two ropes of different diametre (width) together. Great for lenghting a bow line on a boat for towing!
