If you’re a nautical nut, you probably practice sailing knots at home. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone your secret. Sailing knots are extremely useful for any situation at sea. It doesn’t matter if you have a sailboat or a powerboat, you should know at least a few knots. It’s a tragedy when a boat’s captain doesn’t know any. There’s no excuse “knot” to know. Get it? Knot? Alright no more jokes, on with the sailing knots!
We can’t get enough of Animated Knots. Their site is just that, animations of knots. It’s so much easier to see these little videos rather than see pictures or read how to perform a knot. Take a look at some of these boating knots and their uses. Next, we’ll list a few of the most popular sailing knots you need to know if you own a vessel.
http://www.animatedknots.com/photos/cleatvert/cleatvertR9.jpg
If you have a boat, or plan to get one, you’re going to have to tie your boat to a cleat. The cleat hitch is the go-to knot to keep your boat from floating away from the dock.
This knot will help you bring two ropes together. Some will even use carrick bend knots to make nets.
This simple knot allows you to keep an open loop at the end. It is sometimes called the “king of knots”. Use this knot to fasten a halyard to the head of a sale or tie a jib sheet to a clew of a jib.
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
This knot will help you secure the rope to any fixed object. This can help if you’re docking to a piling or something other than a cleat.
This is a stopper knot. It’s often used in boating and rock climbing. It’s a great alternative to the overhand knot.
Now that you have your knot knowledge down, grab a Waterproof Chart and get out on the water!
