Marlinspike Seamanship

Marlinspike Seamanship Apprentice Requirement 5

Apprentice Requirement 5 • Using both large and small lines, tie and explain the use of the following knots - • Reef or square knot • Figure eight • Bowline • Two half hitches • Clove hitch • Sheet bend • Cleat hitch • Demonstrate the ability to use a heaving line. • Reference: • See "Knots" on page 127 and Heaving a Line" on page 154. Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Bend – a knot used to join two lines together Hitch – a knot used to fasten a line to a spar or ring Bitter end - the free end of a line Standing Part - the longer part of a line which is fixed during the tying of a knot Bight - the part of the rope between the end and the standing part. A loop formed by folding the rope back on itself Eye - A loop made in the end of a rope either by knotting, seizing or splicing. Loop - a circle of rope made by bringing two parts of the rope together without crossing them over each other Turn - a loop formed around a post, rail, or the line itself Crossing Turn - a circle of rope made by crossing the rope over itself A Few “Knotty” Terms Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Good knots should: Have good holding power Tie easily Untie easily Three types of knots Stopper knots Hitches Bends What does each type do? These knots should meet most needs Bowline Square knot Sheet bend Figure 8 knot Clove hitch Two half hitches Cleat hitch Good Knots Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Can You Identify These Knots? B C D F A E G Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Bowline • The King of Knots • If you're only going to learn one knot, here it is. • Will not slip if properly made • More secure under pressure but easy to untie • First described by Thomas Bowling; in usage “Bowling’s knot” became bowline Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Reef or Square Knot • Used to tie the reef points when reefing a sail • Often tied as a slipped hitch to permit rapid release • Unreliable to use this knot to bend two lines • Tying this the wrong way can end up with a granny knot Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Sheet Bend or Becket Bend • Used to tie two lines together • Good for securing a small line to the bight of a larger line • Very much like the bowline, but uses two lines instead • Secure, easy to untie Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Figure Eight Knot • Used as a stopper knot • Easily untied and gentle to fiber • Best knot for keeping a line from running through a fairlead or block Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Clove Hitch • Simple handy way to fasten a line around a spar • This knot consists of two half hitches tied in opposite directions Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Two Half-Hitches • Quick and reliable knot used to make lines fast at a mooring • To tie make a half hitch and add another to it • Additional half hitches or a round turn will add strength and security Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Cleat Hitch • Used for belaying dock lines and halyards fast to a cleat • Do not knot sheets and halyards to cleats • Tie line to a horn cleat • All the way around before cross • Finish with locking half hitch Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Using a Heaving Line • Four things to remember: • Line must be considerably longer than distance thrown or you will not reach the target • Line must be coiled carefully and evenly • Hold the shipboard end of the line in one hand and the coil to be thrown in the other • Coil must thrown properly in an underhanded motion with a strong swinging movement Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Coiling a Heaving Line • Make a loop which is lead to the other hand • Hold loops previously coiled • Helps to twist line slightly to avoid kinks and twists Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Heaving a Line • One end is secured • Half of line in throwing hand • Swing and throw underhand • Remainder runs free Apprentice 5 - Marlinspike Seamanship

Marlinspike Seamanship