Knots

[Gibbo]

When Paul and I were having a chat whilst making our way down the Thames, as you do, we got onto the subject of knots. Not speed but string and rope type knots

Both of us bemoaned our own lack of skill in tying knots. My father was really good at knots and could tie them really tight but they could be released with ease! He
did try to teach me but, for some reason (probably lack of practice and very little real world need), it never sank in. So, whilst avoiding the flotsam and jetsam in the
Thames, we determined to do some research once back in front of a pc.

So far I've come up with this ... a series of eight videos by an American chap who is a woodworker and often needs knots to secure loads of timber etc. I found him very
easy on the ears and so I'm posting the link as it may be of use to the rest of you (those who are also not the best of Boy Scouts )

I hope it helps

[chris moody]

Bowline is incredibly useful on a boat. It's probably my most used knot. I often use a sheet bend to join two ropes together, but I prefer the double sheet bend to the standard sheet bend. If you need to tow another boat just use the double sheet bend to tie your tow rope to their painter. Alpine butterfly is also really useful, I put an alpine butterfly in my anchor warp at the desired length (around six times depth), then tie my painter to the alpine butterfly loop (use a bowine for that). You then just let out the anchor warp as you drift downstream and it's automatically the correct length without having to count metres of warp as you let it out.

The only other knots I would add to that list is clove hitch for tying fenders on to your grab lines down the tubes, and a round turn and two half hitches for tying onto mooring buoys.

[blootac]

I use http://www.animatedknots.com/ , Very easy to follow.

[mattswan2512]

Im okayish with knots in that i know what knot to use for what use but i always struggle with an bowline knott for some crazy reason i never get the first crossover right then do the bunny round the tree boll#ks and it ends up a load of pump.

Ahhhhhhhh knots who needs em......................... oh yes we do woops.