The use of knots is a key element in sailing. Whether it’s to tie a fender off the side of your boat or to secure your boat at the dock, it’s important to know these top 5 knots essential for sailing (or just boating in general)!
Read on to learn more about tying these nautical knots and watch our video tutorial.
How to Tie Nautical Knots
Before we dive into how to tie these essential knots and what they’re used for, let’s go over the parts of the rope or “line”.
- Standing End: The “long” end of the rope, often tied or fixed to another object.
- Running End: Sometimes referred to as the “bitter end”, is the free end of the line that will be worked.
- Bight: A half-loop formed in the rope when it’s turned back on itself.
Knot #1: The Bowline Knot
The Bowline Knot is sometimes referred to as the “King” of all essential knots and is formed by tying a fixed loop at the end of a line.
This loop can serve multiple purposes on a sailboat to include fastening a halyard to the head of a sail, tie something off on deck, or can be used as a “rescue” knot to wrap around oneself in the event of man-overboard.
How to Tie a Bowline Knot
- Make an overhand loop on the standing end.
- Take the running end up through the loop.
- Bring the running end around the standing end.
- Pull the running end through the loop.
- Tighten the knot by holding the running end and the loop while pulling on the standing end.
- Check the strength of the knot by holding the loop and pulling on the standing end
Knot #2: Figure 8 Stopper Knot
The Figure-Eight stopper knot is used to keep a line secured when it’s passed through a block or a fairlead. This is often used for jib sheets or main sheets on a sailboat to prevent the line from slipping out of the block and out of reach from the sailor while underway.
How to tie a Figure 8 Stopper Knot
- Make a u-shaped bight at the end of a line.
- Twist the bight one full rotation.
- Wrap the running end around the standing end.
- Pull the running end through the loop to form a figure 8.
- Turn your hand to grab the bottom of the figure 8 toward the standing end.
- Pull tight to complete the stopper knot.
Knot #3: Clove Hitch
A Clove Hitch is a very useful knot and is great for securing a line to a pole, spar or loop. When it is tied correctly it will stay secured in place, however if it is not tied tight enough, it could loosen or slip. This is commonly used to secure loose ends and is a great option for tying your bumpers/fenders for docking.
How to tie a Clove Hitch
- Take the running end and cross it over the object.
- Bring the running end all the way around, then cross it over the standing end.
- Then bring the running end under itself, but over the object and Pull tight
The complete know should have standing end and the running end should run parallel.
Knot #4: Cleat Hitch
The Cleat Hitch is an essential knot used on or with any vessel. This knot secures a line to a cleat on either the boat or a dock and is often tied incorrectly. It is most commonly used to secure a vessel to a dock, but also has other uses. On many sailing vessels, a cleat is fixed to the deck or mast and is used to tie the halyard off after hoisting the sail.
How to tie a Cleat Hitch
- Make one full complete turn around the cleat.
- Lead the running end across the top of the horn.
- Run the line around the bottom of the horn to create a figure eight.
- Twist the line in to a loop and hook onto the horn to create parallel lines.
- Pull tight!
Knot #5: Round Turn 2 Half-Hitch
The Round Turn and 2 Half-Hitch knot is another great knot to use. It creates a strong, non-slipping knot where when under load, pressure is put on the object it is tied around, not the knot itself. This makes it easy to undo when you need to remove it. This versatile knot is used to tie your boat onto a post, ring, rail or any other object.
How to tie a Round Turn 2 Half-Hitch
- First wrap the line around the anchoring point.
- Make a full turn around the object with the running end.
- Make your first half-hitch over the standing line.
- Tie a second half-hitch (general knot)
- Pull tight.
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