24Cleating a Line

The key step in cleating a line is the full turn underthe cleat. When finished the line should depart theopposite side that it arrives.

Pocket Guide to KnotsJohn C. Kelly © 2002

Contents

2. Bowline3. Sheetbend4. Running Bowline5. Bowline in a Bight6. Clove Hitch7. Rolling Hitch8. Stopper - Figure Eight9. Stopper - Stevedore10. Half Hitch11. Round Turn & Two Half Hitches12. Constrictor Knot13. Anchor Bend14. Coil - Basic & Gasket15. Coil - Figure Eight16. Coil on Halyard17. Knut Hitch18. Sheepshank19. Pile Hitch20. Fishing – Blood Knot21. Fishing – Cinch Knot22. Truckers Hitch23. Whipping a Line24. Cleating a Line

2Bowline

This is the most important of all sailing knots. It isused to create a strong non-slipping loop, which iseasy to untie. The two key points are non-slippingand easy to untie. A common use is to attach the jibto the jib sheets.

23Whipping a Line

Used to keep the end of a line from fraying. Thereare more sophisticated methods using a needle, butthis works well.

22Trucker’s Hitch

Great way to get some leverages, and it can easilybe untied.

3Sheetbend

This is essentially the same as a bowline, exceptthat it is tied with two rope ends. Its main purposeis to connect two lines, often of unequal thickness.It is very convenient for attaching a messenger lineto a larger line or extending a dock line. Turn theknot over and look at it closely; you will see that itis a disguised bowline.

Streamline Sheetbend

4Running Bowline

Used to fasten a reefing line to the mast. It is aslip knot that holds fast and is easy to untie.

21Fishing – Cinch Knot

The basic knot for attaching tackle to a line.

20Fishing – Blood Knot

Used to secure two lines together, for example along leader to a line.

5Bowline in a Bight

Provides to loops.

6Clove Hitch

Next to the Bowline, this is the most common of allsailing knots. It used to temporarily secure a line toa spar, such as a fender to a life line.

19Pile Hitch

A quick way of securing dinghy to pier.

18Sheepshank

Used to shorten a line without weakening it.Easy to untie

7Rolling Hitch

Tied similar to a clove hitch. The rolling hitchgrips when tightened, and it can be slid to thedesired position. It is commonly used to takethe load off another line.

8Stopper - Figure Eight

The classic stopper knot used on all sheets. Anextra loop makes it bulkier and it becomes aStevedore knot.

17Knut Hitch

I may want to replace this with a cow hitch, whichis similar.

16Coil on a Halyard

9Stevedore Stopper

This is the same as the figure eight with an extraloop. You can add more loops for extra bulk. Thisknot is often used at the end of a heaving line forbulk and for something to grab hold of.

10Half Hitch

The most basic of all knots for attaching a line to asolid object. It is only a temporary knot. A moresecure knot is the round turn with two half hitches.

15Coil – Figure Eight

A more permanent way of coiling a line.

14Coil – Basic and Gasket

Basic Coil

Gasket Coil

11Round Turn & Two Half Hitches

A superb knot for tightly tying a line to a rigidobject like a spar, pole, or life line. Might be usedin place of a half hitch or clove hitch if a permanentor more secure connection is desired. The extraturns distribute the load and make it relatively easyto untie.

12Constrictor Knot

Great for tying a pencil to a chart table.

13Anchor Bend

Used in much the same applications as a round turnwith two half hitches. Very secure.