Grog's Index of Boating Knots

Pictures of Common Boating Knots

Welcome to Boating Knots

These animated knots are primarily for boaters, but many are useful for anyone who uses rope and values safety. Select the knots from: the index above left; the pictures above; or the Boating Applications page.

Selection

The selection of knots is based on many years of sailing combined with feedback and advice from several helpful captains. Click on the picture on the right to see the selection. The knots are arranged roughly in order of importance - except that the Square Knot, the Sheet Bend, and the Figure 8 Knot, are placed at the bottom because they are primarily located in the Basics Section.

Boating Knot Characteristics

Rope used in boating is durable and expensive and is often handling heavy loads, e.g., when berthing, mooring, towing another vessel, preparing for a storm, or managing sails. The emphasis, therefore, is on safety, reliability, and convenience. In contrast to the fishing knots, value is also placed on being able to use the rope repeatedly and untie each knot without difficulty.

Standing End, Tail, and Bitter End

In many boating knots it is convenient to talk about the Standing End - which takes the strain, and the Tail - the loose end in your hand. On a large ship, each shore line is initially tightened using the winch. The tail is then properly called a Bitter End as it is transferred to the Bitts. To make this possible, a second rope is tied to the hawser with a Rat-Tailed Stopper or a Rolling Hitch to take the strain temporarily.

Mooring Lines and Names

Mooring lines on large ships are nearly always made of a high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) such as Vectran^® or Dyneema^®. These ropes float and their minimal elasticity reduces risk in the event of a breakage. Each line serves specific purpose. On large vessels two lines often run in parallel ("doubled up") for safety. The following diagram shows a typical arrangement:

Bow Line Forward Bow Spring Forward Breast Line After Bow Spring Forward Quarter Spring Quarter Breast Line After Quarter Spring Stern Line

On yachts mooring lines are more likely to be made of nylon, or polyester (Dacron^® or Terylene^®). By contrast with mooring a large vessel, distances are usually small and movements due to waves and tide are proportionately greater. Moreover, because far fewer lines are used, it is critical to understand their purpose:

1. The Breast Lines prevent rotation and should run roughly at 90^o to the dock. To gain length, they should be led from the farthest part of the boat: the bow itself (or the outer hull of a catamaran) and from the far quarter of the stern.
2. The Spring Lines prevent fore and aft movement and should run nearly parallel to the dock and may cross each other to obtain an optimal lie.

Bow Breast Line Bow Spring Line Stern Spring Line Stern Breast Line