Boating, the best knots?

Question

I need to know some good knots to use when i begin boating. I need to secure nylon rope to my anchor and need to know the best kind of knot to use, i know how to make a bow knot but whats the best for nylon rope?

Answer 1

There most important knots to know

1. Square, not granny!

2. Clove hitch

3. Bowline - tie it over and over until you can do it blindfolded.

Answer 2

The 3 knots that I teach in a boating safety class are,

the bowline, the cleating hitch, and the clove hitch with two half hitches. Get those down and you are as good as gold. Try this site for diagrams

http://www.boat-ed.com/ia/course/p2-5_li...

Answer 3

As usual, it depends.  The bowline is a good all-around knot for fastening a line to something (like an anchor).  I seem to recall a specific knot used for anchors, but I don't remember specifics.  I will typically use a doubled-up bowline for an anchor, just in case it gets badly abraded on rocks while the anchor is down.  Bends are used to attach different lines to each other.  I've added a great site for different classes of knots.

[Edit]  Hey, I found that "anchor knot"; it's called a Fisherman's Bend...

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Anch...

Mark is spot on with the three most important knots...

Answer 4

Here's an interesting site that shows you how to tie various knots and bends through animation:

www.animatedknots.com

The most useful knots/bends to learn include:

Bowline - general purpose attachment

Clove hitch - temporary securing hitch attached to round stuff

Double sheet bend (not single) Joins lines of unequal size

Carrick Bend - Joins lines of equal size

Anchor bend - attaches chain to anchor rode

Figure 8 / Double overhand knots (stopper knots)

1 round turn with 2 half hitches - secures items like fenders

There's lots of other knots that you can learn about but these ones are probably the most useful.  I didn't include the reef (square) knot in this list as it is basically a useless knot.  It tends to "turn" on itself and bind or completely let go when a load is placed on it.

If you google the word "marlinspike", you'll probably get more information that you likely want.

Answer 5

You will certainly need to know how to do a figure of eight knot if you are going to be boating/sailing.

I too have included a link for some good knots...this one even shows you how to do them...it's quite good really!

http://www.cptdave.com/figure-eight-knot...

Edit

Good sites there Leftwing and Mark...

Answer 6

First of all, do not use a bow knot on anything but your shoes on a boat. It is not suitable.

To tie your anchor to the rode, use a fisherman's bend (also known as the anchor hitch or anchor bend). Be sure to use a light line and wrap the short piece at the end of the knot to the line.

You should learn to tie the Bowline and the Clove Hitch, and the Sheet Bend.

The URL is a link to a site that shows how to tie these knots.

Regards,

Dan

PS There are some good books in your public library on boating and seamanship. I suggest that you take a long look at them. Boating is fun, but a knowledge of boat handling and seamanship will prevent trouble and save you a lot of money.