Knots

Knots, hitches, or bends Learn more here

Tying a knot or beating a roast is something that comes naturally to anyone with a boat. It’s basic knowledge to be able to tie a bowline or a double half hitch when mooring a boat.

The word knot comes from the Dutch knoop and is a word for attaching or joining ropes, cables or cordage to something such as a ring or a bridge.
An important prerequisite for a knot is that it should not untie but at the same time be possible to untie.

What kind of knots are there?

It’s a joke to say that there are as many different knots as there are countries in the world. The truth is that there are probably far more knots, knots and variations on these than that. For obvious reasons, we cannot mention them all in this article. Instead, we will focus on the most common knots that you may need to know for enjoyable boating.

Which knot should I use?

It depends on the conditions. For mooring your boat, the double half hitch is a classic that’s also easy to learn. The bowline is another popular choice. Its many variations make it one of the best knots to know.

Being able to join two different lines is also a valuable skill. The sheet bend is a simple and reliable knot for this purpose. It works well even when the lines are of different thicknesses.

The reef knot is a classic many people learn early on, and it’s similar to the sheet bend. However, the sheet bend is a more secure knot, even if it’s not as widely known.

Five knots that everyone should know

Bowline

The bowline is a classic knot that’s easy to learn. It’s perfect for situations where you need a loop at the end of your rope. Since it’s easy to untie, it’s a favorite among boaters. The bowline comes in many variations, from running bowlines to one-handed versions. For those who feel particularly daring, there’s even a version you throw together rather than tie, known as the Moana knot.

Anchor Hitch

This knot is mainly used to tie an anchor to the anchor line or an anchor chain. This knot is also useful when you want to attach the rope to a loop or ring.

Sheet Bend

A sheet bend is a knot used to join two ropes. It’s especially useful because it works well when the ropes are of different thicknesses. The reef knot is a similar knot, but unlike the sheet bend, it’s much less reliable. The reef knot has lower strength and is more prone to slipping.

Double half hitch

This is a knot that is simple and versatile while being strong. It is mainly used to moor boats or to attach fender lines to the rail. However, this knot can come undone if the load is uneven. For the best strength and security, we recommend learning its sturdier counterpart: the double half hitch around the standing part.

Quick release knot

This knot is perfect for those times when you want a strong knot that is easy to untie. It can be attached to a ring or rod. A knot that is very quick to untie when needed.

Stopper knot

The stopper knot is used whenever you need a large knot at the end of a line. It’s suitable for preventing the end of a line from slipping through a clutch or similar device.

If you know these knots, you’ll be well-prepared. If you’re interested in seeing illustrations or videos of how to tie knots, you can check out our knot-tying guide:

Are there bad knots?

There are knots that are worse for some purposes. For example, some knots may have a tendency to untie if you use the ‘wrong’ type of rope. There are knots that are also virtually impossible to untie, which must be considered an inferior knot. Unless you really don’t want it to dissolve.

Summary

• There are an infinite number of knots, both good and bad
• The bowline and sheet bend are easy to learn and incredibly useful
• Different ropes require different knots
• If you want to shine on the dock, Moana knot is the knot to show off