Why Knowing Different Knots Is Important for Every Sailor

Tying knots seems as easy as breathing until you become a sailor. Once anointed, the art of knot tying can make or break an entire sail. Knot inappropriately and you’ve got a disaster at hand!

Knowing the difference between different knots is integral to a smooth sail, and a knots book can help with that. Rest assured, this concept isn’t novel. Knotting goes back to prehistoric times. From ancient French sailors to Egyptian travelers, those who tread the big blue sea in the past largely contributed to the evolution of rope tying.

Five Types of Rope Knots Every Sailor Should Know

Bowline

The bowline is probably one of the very first rope knotting techniques taught to emerging sailors. While bowlines aren’t the easiest to tie, they are not as daunting as others. The goal is to create a tight noose at a line’s end so it stays in place without slipping. A bowline has various applications, whereby sailors tie it to attach sheets and halyards to the main sail.

Stopper knot

Sailors struggling with stopper knots have the choice to alternate between different tying methods. Otherwise referred to as a double overhand stopper knot, this type keeps a line secure and prevents it from slipping through a rope clutch. Unlike a clove hitch, stopper knots don’t loosen on their own unless very harshly tugged on. You must wrap a double loop on the edge of a line, tuck the free end under it and pull to tighten.

Clove hitch

Unlike a bowline, a clove hitch offers a temporary solution for tying stuff on a boat. This type of knot is mostly used to hold cylindrical elements in place. For instance, if you need to tie a pole, you must know how to maneuver clove hitches. The good part? These are super easy to tie and untie. They can be adjusted within seconds even if the initial line was the wrong size.

Sailors tie one end of the line around a cylindrical item, cross it over and repeat the wrapping motion. The free end must be tucked under the knot. That said, the clove hitch tends to slip and run free if it isn’t tightened properly. Naturally, it’s important to practice this type of knot or seek professional assistance on your first attempts.

Cleat hitch

Have to secure a running line? Cleat hitches are your best bet. These are mostly used to tie a boat on the dock. Word of warning, prepare to loop over and over again. A cleat loop is best taught after a bowline and clove hitch are out of the way. The pattern is rather complicated and demands a professional hand as loose cleat hitches can send empty boats floating on the water.

Reef knot

A reef knot is one of the most historically rich ones on this list. Although relatively simple to tie, it goes back centuries. This method of knotting is geared toward tying objects temporarily. Remember, reef knots do not guarantee stability and must not be relied upon for securing a sail. On the plus side, a reef knot merely takes seconds to come together or undone. All you must do is create a loop out of a long line, and pass it through another knot.