How to tie various knots

Step 3 Bowline

The bowline is really a special case of the sheet bend, but it it tied at the end of a rope to make a loop.

The photos show the completed loop, and closeups of the front and back of the actual knot. Note that it is the same as the sheet bend - but it must be made the right way round. This loop does not tighten in use. The knot is quite easy to untie once the load is removed. With practice, it is very quick to tie.

Some uses:
Securing a dinghy line to a railing or stanchion
Securing an anchor line to an anchor
Tie a jib sheet to the sail
Tie a mooring line around a rock or tree
Tie a float to an anchor tripline
Use one in each line to tie two ropes of very different sizes - e.g. a throwing line to a large tow rope
Disadvantages: the knot must be completely made before it will take any strain - it is hard to tie if there is already a load on the rope

Linked bowlines:

Comments

[rspetersga]

This knot (at least used to be) taught in the boy scouts, to be used for rescuing people - the rope goes around the waist and the knot tied in front.  This knot is good for this application since the knot doesn't travel (and therefore the loop won't tighten around the person) and the knot gets more secure with tension.