Essential Knots and Hitches

There's not much marlinspike-speak in BoatSense, but there's an idea running through the book that skills are better than gizmos and labor-saving devices. Skills are completely portable. They're cheaper than gear. They tend to be valuable everywhere, not just on the water. And most importantly, they make you happier in the long run. 

These videos were made a few years ago for boats.com with marine videographer Paul Cronin. The knots and hitches shown are the ones most often used on modern boats. They'll work for 90 percent of the jobs you'll find on the water, and they're super handy on land, too, for camping, for securing loads in your pickup truck,  for tying up banners and signs, and so on. 

Bowline

The bowline is beloved for its utililty, simplicity, elegance, and releasability. And it drives novice boat people crazy. If you don't know how to tie one, or you're trying to teach someone else to tie one, read this article:  How to Tie a Bowline: Remember the Two Loops.

Then come back and watch this video with the two-loop concept still in mind.

Clove Hitch and Rolling Hitch

Use a clove hitch for tying a line around a railing, stanchion, pipe, or similar object. Use a rolling hitch to make a grip on another line or object to resist a lateral pull.

Stopper Knots

Use a stopper knot to keep a line from pulling through a block (pulley) or fairlead aperture -- or your hand. 

Sheet Bend and Carrick Bend

Use a sheet bend to tie together two lines of different diameters. Use a Carrick Bend to tie together two lines of the same diameter.

Trucker's Hitch (Wagoner's Hitch)

Use a trucker's hitch for temporary tie-downs with extra purchase for holding power.