SVSYSTEMS

Index / Sailing / Knots

Knots

The 9 knots used most on a cruising yacht, tied step by step, with where each one is used on the boat. Every knot named in English, with the Portuguese name beside it.

Use Play, or the slider, to tie each knot

Where each knot is used

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A few words first. The standing part is the long part of the line that takes the load. The end is the part you tie with. A bight is a U-shaped fold in the line, and a hitch ties a line round something else, such as a post or another rope.

1

Bowline

Lais de guia

Step 5 of 5
  1. 1Make a small loop in the standing part, with the part towards the end lying on top.
  2. 2Bring the end up through the small loop from underneath.
  3. 3Take the end round behind the standing part.
  4. 4Bring the end back down through the small loop.
  5. 5Hold the end and the side of the big loop together, and pull the standing part to tighten.

What it does

Makes a fixed loop at the end of a line. The loop does not slip or tighten however hard it is loaded, yet the knot unties easily afterwards.

On the boat

Tying the genoa sheets to the clew of the sail, or dropping a loop over a bollard when you come alongside.

When it fails

It can shake loose when it is not loaded, for example on a flogging sheet, so leave a tail at least 10 times the rope's thickness and check it before you go out. It cannot be untied while it is under load.

To untie

Push the collar, the part wrapped round the standing part, away from the loop. The knot breaks open.

2

Cleat hitch

Volta de cunhoCheck

Step 4 of 4
  1. 1Lead the line to the far horn and take a full turn round the base of the cleat.
  2. 2Cross over the top and round the other horn.
  3. 3Cross back the other way: a figure of 8 over the horns.
  4. 4Finish with a locking hitch: a loop turned over so the end lies under the last crossing.

What it does

Makes a line fast to a cleat. It holds, but can be eased or let go in seconds.

On the boat

Mooring lines on the cleats at the bow and stern, and halyards on the cleats at the mast.

When it fails

Without the full turn round the base first, the line can jam under load and be hard to free in a hurry. Extra turns and hitches piled on top add nothing and make it slower to undo.

To untie

Lift the locking hitch off the horn, then unwind the figure of 8 and the turn.

3

Figure of 8

Nó em oito

Step 5 of 5
  1. 1Lead the end of the line through the clutch or block, past where the knot will sit.
  2. 2Bring the end back over the standing part to make a loop.
  3. 3Take the end round behind the standing part.
  4. 4Push the end down through the loop.
  5. 5Pull both parts to tighten. The knot shows a clear 8.

What it does

A stopper knot: a bulky knot in the end of a line, so it cannot run out through a block, a clutch or a fairlead.

On the boat

In the tail of each genoa sheet, so a sheet let go in a gust stays on board.

When it fails

Pulled hard against a block, it can jam tight. It is still far easier to undo than a simple overhand knot.

To untie

Bend the knot back on itself to loosen the collar, then work the end out.

4

Clove hitch

Volta fiel

Step 4 of 4
  1. 1Take the end over the rail and round it.
  2. 2Cross over the first turn.
  3. 3Go round again, and tuck the end under the crossing.
  4. 4Pull both parts to tighten. You see an X with the parts coming out of the middle.

What it does

A quick hitch round a rail, post or stanchion. Easy to adjust, and easy to tie with 1 hand.

On the boat

Hanging fenders from the guardwires or the base of a stanchion. For fenders, tuck a loop instead of the end in the last step: the hitch then pulls free with 1 tug.

When it fails

It can work loose when the pull keeps changing direction, such as a fender rubbing against a pontoon all night. Add a half hitch round the standing part if it will be left for a while.

To untie

Push the 2 turns towards each other to loosen them, or pull the loop if you tucked one.

5

Round turn and 2 half hitches

Volta redonda e dois cotesCheck

Step 3 of 3
  1. 1Take the end round the rail twice: a round turn.
  2. 2Half hitch: take the end round the standing part and back through.
  3. 3A 2nd half hitch, the same way round, then slide both up to the rail.

What it does

Ties a line to a post, ring or rail so it holds a heavy load, and can still be untied while the load is on.

On the boat

Tying the dinghy painter to the pushpit, or a line to a ring on the quay.

When it fails

The round turn takes the load. With only a single turn, the hitches carry it and can jam. The 2 half hitches must go round the same way, or it becomes a weaker knot.

To untie

Undo the 2 half hitches, then ease the line out round the turns, even with the load on.

6

Reef knot

Nó direito

Step 4 of 4
  1. 1Lay the green end in a bight, and bring the cream end up to it.
  2. 2Bring the cream end up through the bight and round both of its parts.
  3. 3Bring it back out through the bight, so it lies beside its own standing part.
  4. 4Pull tight. The knot lies flat and square.

What it does

Ties the 2 ends of a line together round something, so the knot lies flat. It is for binding, not for joining 2 ropes that will take a load.

On the boat

Sail ties round the furled mainsail on the boom, or the reef points on a slab-reefed main.

When it fails

Used to join 2 separate ropes, especially of different sizes, it can capsize and slip apart under load. Use a sheet bend for that. Tied left over right twice, it becomes a granny knot, which slips.

To untie

Pull 1 end back across the knot. It capsizes into 2 loops that slide apart.

7

Rolling hitch

Volta de tomadouroCheck

Step 4 of 4
  1. 1Take a turn round the loaded line.
  2. 2Take a 2nd turn beside it, on the side the load will pull towards.
  3. 3Cross over both turns and go round once more on the other side.
  4. 4Tuck the end under the crossing. Pull the standing part along the loaded line, towards the turns.

What it does

Grips another line, or a spar, and holds against a pull along it in 1 direction.

On the boat

Freeing a riding turn on a winch: tie a spare line to the loaded sheet with a rolling hitch, take it to another winch and wind it in. The jammed sheet goes slack and can be cleared.

When it fails

It grips only when pulled towards the side with the 2 turns. Pulled the other way, it slides. On thin or slippery line, add a 3rd turn.

To untie

Take the load off, then unwind it.

8

Sheet bend

Nó de escota

Step 5 of 5
  1. 1Make a bight in the thicker rope.
  2. 2Bring the end of the thinner rope up through the bight.
  3. 3Take it round behind both parts of the bight.
  4. 4Tuck it under itself, so it lies across the bight.
  5. 5Pull the standing parts to tighten. Both tails end on the same side.

What it does

Joins 2 ropes, even of different thickness. The thicker or stiffer rope makes the bight.

On the boat

Extending a mooring line that is too short, or tying a thin line to a thicker one.

When it fails

It can shake loose when it is not loaded. Both tails should end up on the same side of the knot. If they are on opposite sides, it is a less secure version.

To untie

Bend the bight back to loosen the thin rope's collar, then pull it out.

9

Double sheet bend

Nó de escota dobradoCheck

Step 4 of 4
  1. 1Make a bight in the thicker rope, and bring the thinner end up through it.
  2. 2Take it round behind both parts of the bight.
  3. 3Go round a 2nd time, beside the first turn.
  4. 4Tuck it under itself, as in the single sheet bend.

What it does

A sheet bend with an extra turn. More secure, especially when 1 rope is much thinner, wet or slippery.

On the boat

Tying a light heaving line to a heavy mooring warp, so the warp can be pulled ashore.

When it fails

Much less likely to shake loose than the single sheet bend. It still needs a load on it to stay tight.

To untie

As the sheet bend: bend the bight back and work the thin rope out.

About these drawings

Each knot is drawn loose so you can follow the line, then pulled tight where the shape changes. Names marked Check are my best rendering and have not been confirmed against a published source in that language. Portuguese is European Portuguese, Spanish is Spain's usage. Sources for the confirmed names: the Portuguese, Spanish and Italian Wikipedias' articles on each knot.