Knot vs Eye Splice

[Sea Hunt Video]

Bill:

What traveler are you installing

Thanks,

[Sea Hunt Video]

A question for the knot experts on the board.

I spent the past 3 days learning how to tie the buntline hitch. Now that I have learned it I am wondering if I could use it to attach jib sheets to my Genoa at the clew

I have been using two bowlines when I have had two separate jib sheets and a lark's head when it was one continuous sheet.

It seems to me the buntline hitch is more compact that the bowline when working with two separate jib sheets and would probably cause less "hang ups" when tacking.

Thoughts

[barfwinkle]

Robert I got the Harken Small Boat system (track 2720). However, due to the size of the fasteners for the track the holes don't line up. The original track used 1/4" fasteners, the new track uses either #10s or #12s. Or at least that's my theory.

I haven't talked with Rigging Only yet, but I think that when I do I am going to go with the taller track (don't recall the number) to avoid having to shim the track or shave the aft cockpit coaming teak.

Fair Winds

[Steve Laume]

A question for the knot experts on the board.

I spent the past 3 days learning how to tie the buntline hitch. Now that I have learned it I am wondering if I could use it to attach jib sheets to my Genoa at the clew

I have been using two bowlines when I have had two separate jib sheets and a lark's head when it was one continuous sheet.

It seems to me the buntline hitch is more compact that the bowline when working with two separate jib sheets and would probably cause less "hang ups" when tacking.

Thoughts

While not an authority on the best use of knots, I have never held back with an opinion just because I don't know what I am talking about.

I think we all tend to have favorite knots and put them to use in a variety of ways. Several different knots could be used in many situations. I have a great love of half hitches in a variety of variations.

After a perfectly good looking, main halyard, splice failed while entering Dutch Harbor for a CD meet up, I was shown the buntline hitch. It is the perfect knot for halyards. It also works great for the traveler connections. I have since used it for a few other applications where I need, or want, a compact knot that will not need to be untied on any regular basis.

I don't think I would use it for a jib sheet connection. The reason is that it would become very tight in the cringle after being used for a while. Two of these knots would also create a bit of a bump to get past an inner stay. If you don't have an inner, then bowlines would work very well. If a stay is present then I have found the larks head to be a great choice.

You do want to be able to untie this knots and not have it squeeze the dickens out of the clew cringle, Steve.

[Jim Cornwell]

Tired of the two bowlines at the genoa clew, which caught on the shrouds no matter how I tied them, I tried a fisherman's bend. Each sheet passed through the grommet in opposite directions with an overhand knot on each side. This was perfectly secure and an improvement over the bowlines but still fouled on the shrouds from time to time. Then I bought a replacement sheet in one continuous length which made a lark's head at the clew possible. This has proven the best by far.

[Jim Davis]

The Buntline Hitch, also known as the Stunsail Tack Bend, was designed to not untie when subjected to flogging. It only gets tighter. When trying to untie it several new names are commonly used. The only polite name in this category is "Knife Knot", the other names are not suitable for a family board. Personally for sheets I prefer the Lark's Head or Bowline.

[Oswego John]

I'm a Larks Head kind of guy, myself.

Jim,"Knife Knot" is a good name to use on a family type of forum like this. Another name I use that might be applicable is a "Hatchet Knot".

Speaking of hatchet or knife knots, ckeck out the picture of a well appointed schooner pilot's area. The pic is self explanatory to the observer.

Oh, BTW, I'm a few years younger in the photo. (although it is hard to tell) big grin. No chin whiskers, either

O J

[Steve Laume]

On larger craft with heavier lines it is known as an axe knot.

Axe not what you can do for your...

Oh wait, I think I got mixed up a bit, Steve.

[Jim Davis]

I think we should be careful when speaking about "Weapons of Mass Destruction". We don't want him to get carried away or use anything too heavy for a "Rope Wrench".

[Oswego John]

Jim and all,

Speaking of rope wrenches, knives, axes and hatchets, I mentioned in the accompanying picture that I was embarrassingly without chin whiskers. We can't have that.

So, going through my picture file (old shoe box), I came up with a picture, with beards of course, that was taken at the last general meeting that was held at Harve de Grace, Md.

From L to R, Mike Ritenour, John Danicic and yours truly, O J

Eat your hearts out, girls. :>)

[Neil Gordon]

Speaking of hatchet or knife knots, ckeck out the picture of a well appointed schooner pilot's area. The pic is self explanatory to the observer.

I thought you were a tiller guy?

[RIKanaka]

I am going to go with the taller track (don't recall the number) to avoid having to shim the track or shave the aft cockpit coaming teak.

Fair Winds

The taller track is very inflexible and will have to be pre-bent at the factory.

[Oswego John]

I thought you were a tiller guy?

Tiller, schmiller, vats da difference? (Big Grin)

O J

[Joe Myerson]

Robert:

I really like the buntline hitch, and use it in many places in my running rigging where I might have used a splice or bowline. But I would NOT use it to tie the sheets to the headsail.

--Joe

[Tim D.]

I just installed a small Garhauer travleler on my Typhoon using splices because of the very limited travel on the small deck. Much cursing involved for two afternoons having not spliced in awhile.

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