Key marine knots for boaters
- 1. Bowline knot
- 2. Reef knot (square knot)
- 3. Cleat hitch knot
- 4. Clove hitch knot
- 5. Half hitch knot
- 6. Figure of eight knot
- 7. Single sheet bend knot
- 8. Double half hitch knot (Rolling hitch)
If you’ve spent time on the water, you know how crucial it is to quickly tie strong, secure knots. Despite advancements in boating technology, knots remain a fundamental tool for safely fastening gear aboard a vessel. Each knot serves a specific purpose, and a poorly tied knot could mean the difference between safety and disaster. The art of knot-tying is an age-old skill for sailors, passed down through generations.
Interestingly, the term "knot" comes from the practice early sailors used to measure their ship's speed. They tied knots at regular intervals along a rope (one knot every 14.3 meters), tossed it overboard, and counted how many knots passed in a set time to determine the vessel’s speed.
Whether you're heading out for a short sail or a lengthy voyage, here are some of the most important knots to master before you hit the water.
1. Bowline knot
Above: Bowline knot is a a strong and secure general purpose knot that is easy to tie and untie. Image via YachtWorld.
Often referred to as the "king of knots," the bowline is one of the most versatile knots used in sailing. It tightens under load but can be easily untied when not under tension. To tie it, create a loop, pass the rope's free end through it, wrap it around the standing line, and then return it through the loop before tightening.
2. Reef knot (Square knot)
The reef knot is great for joining two ropes together, but be cautious—it’s not the strongest and should only be used for non-critical tasks. To tie it, place the two rope ends parallel, cross one rope over and under the other, and repeat until the ropes are intertwined. Tighten to secure the knot.
Above: The reef knot (otherwise known as square knot) is a binding knot. Image via YachtWorld.
3. Cleat hitch knot
Above: Cleat Hitch Knot secures a rope to a cleat. Image via YachtWorld.
A quick and simple knot, the cleat hitch is ideal for securing your boat when docking. Despite its simplicity, it's a surprisingly strong knot. To tie it, loop the rope around the cleat, wrap it around the cleat’s horn, pass it under and over the horn, and tighten to lock it in place.
Watch a video on How to Tie Hitch Knots on our sister site boats.com
4. Clove hitch knot
Above: Clove Hitch Knot is useful for attaching a rope to a post, ring, or other object for temporary purposes. Image via YachtWorld.
The clove hitch is perfect for fastening a rope to a rail or pole, and it’s commonly used to keep ropes organised on deck. To tie it, wrap the line around the pole or rail, then make a second wrap to form a figure-eight shape. Pass the rope under the crossing point to complete the knot.
5. Half hitch knot
Above: Half hitch knot is quick way to tie a rope to a post. Image via YachtWorld.
The half hitch is perfect for attaching a rope to a pole or rod and preventing slippage. To tie it, coil the rope around the pole in the direction of the pull, then coil it again in the opposite direction. For the third coil, wrap it above the standing line, and finish by passing the free end under the first coil and pulling tight.
6. Figure of eight knot
Also known as the Flemish knot, the figure-eight knot is great for securely joining two ropes or as a stopper knot to prevent a rope from slipping through an eyelet. To tie it, create a loop with the rope's tail, pass the end through the loop, and pull both sides tight. The completed knot resembles the shape of the number 8.
Above: A figure of eight knot is A figure-eight knot is an overhand with a twist. In sailing it's used as a stopper knot to stop a line running through a sheathe or block. Image via YachtWorld.
7. Single sheet bend knot
Above: The Sheet Bend is commonly used to tie a throwing line to a mooring warp or towing warp. Image via YachtWorld.
The single sheet bend is ideal for tying two ropes of different sizes. To tie it, pass the thinner rope through the thicker one, wrap it around, and tuck it under itself. Hold the thicker rope's end and pull to tighten the knot securely.
8. Double half hitch knot (Rolling hitch)
The double half hitch is used to attach a rope to a fixed object like a pole or ring and is known for its reliability. To tie it, wrap the rope around the support, pass the end through the loop, wrap it again around the standing line, and tighten to secure it.
Are you new to sailing? Then you might enjoy reading up on Boat Anatomy.
