All Wound Up: Six Knots Every Sailor Should Know
When it comes to boating, there’s no overstating just how important it is to be familiar with basic nautical knots. From hobbyists to anglers to cruisers, every type of boater should have a few different types of knots memorized. Knots can help prevent your boat from drifting during a change in tides, help anchor you in rough water, prevent damage at the dock, and help save someone in an emergency. If you’re new to being at the helm, we’ve got a list of six basic knots that every boater should know!
Bowline Knot
The Bowline knot is the essential knot for boaters. It’s both versatile and strong. This knot creates a strong, fixed loop at the end of a line. Bowlines won’t slip, bind, or jam under a heavy load but are still easy to untie when needed.
Best uses: Towing other vessels, securing ot pilings, emergency rescues/safety
Cleat Hitch
The Cleat hitch is the standard knot for securing a rope to a dock’s horn cleat. This knot provides a strong hold that holds up well against changing tides and in rough waters. The knot also easily releases even under high tension.
Best uses: Dock lines, anchor lines, mooring lines
Clove Hitch
The Clove hitch is a great, versatile knot to have in your back pocket. Once practiced, the clove hitch can be easily tied, untied, and adjusted with one hand. While fast and simple, it’s meant for securing temporary lines.
Best uses: Temporarily docking to a piling, securing items on deck, hanging boat fenders
Figure Eight Knot
The Figure Eight knot is primarily a stopper knot. Its purpose is often to prevent the end of the rope from slipping through a deck opening, fairlead, or pulley block. A figure eight knot can also be tied in a loop to create a highly secured anchor point or wrapped around a dock cleat.
Best uses: Preventing the loss of the rope’s end, attaching to a cleat, attaching to a carabiner or towing bridle
Round Turn and Two Half-Hitches
A Round Turn knot is a highly secure, non-slip knot used to tie a boat to a fixed object like a dock ring or piling. It is regarded as a highly reliable knot for long-term docking or securing fenders. Round turns are known for being able to support a heavy hold without jamming under high tension.
Best uses: Temporary docking, hanging fenders, securing a dinghy
Sheet Bend (or Becket Bend)
The Sheet Bend knot, also known as the Becket Bend, is utilized to securely combine two ropes together. This knot is particularly useful when the ropes are of different diameters, materials, or rigidity. Sheet bend knots won’t jam under high loads and allow you to make use of what you have on board in a pinch.
Best uses: Joining unequal lines, extending lines, repairing fishing and utility nets
