The rabbit goes into the hole...

[Cathy Monaghan]

The rabbit goes into the hole....

[Neil Gordon]

In the 21st century, the Chief has been replaced by http://www.animatedknots.com/bowline/#ScrollPoint

[tjr818]

Animated knots has never yelled at me . . . yet

[Steve Laume]

When I saw this, it made me wonder if any sort of knot craft was included in safe boating courses.

I was grandfathered in when Ct first required a certificate. That is I owned a 14' aluminum row boat with a small motor so it was assumed I knew enough to command boats up to 65' and was given a certificate. I know a lot of knots and probably tie most of them correctly. When walking down the docks I notice that this is not always the case with my fellow boaters. This is especially noticeable on the mooring cleats. Often times there is that nice Flemish coil leading to some sort of confused, mess on the cleat. Lots of guys don't even try to tie a knot or hitch. They will spend all sorts of money on pre spliced lines and all sorts of clever devices that eliminate the need to tie a decent, useful, knot. On the boat itself there are self tailing winches, all sorts of rope clutches and jamming devices.

I suppose all of these things are convenient but also seem to take some of the joy and tradition out of sailing.

Does anyone know if there are nay requirements to learn some basic knots in order to get a safe boating certificate these days?

There just don't seem to be many boy scouts these days, Steve.

[Carl Thunberg]

The states have dumbed down the requirements for a safe boating certificate so the jet-ski crowd can pass. Seriously. When I took the exam, there were more questions about personal water craft than there were on the Rules of the Road. I was pretty disgusted. If you want a real boating safety course, the U.S. Power Squadron still teaches about seamanship, including knots.

By the way, I loved Boy Scouts!

[Neil Gordon]

The states have dumbed down the requirements for a safe boating certificate so the jet-ski crowd can pass.

Just the part where they have a jet-ski should be reason enough to fail.

[Oswego John]

Back in the day, we're talking eons now, I used to be a BSA leader. I'd tell the young scouts that if they wanted to get past the tenderfoot plateau they would have to work and learn and pass tests. One of the most important things they would have to master was rope work and various knots and splices.

There is only one true way to tie a bowline and several other ways to tie a fauxline.

Think spring,
O J

[Steve Laume]

Back in the day, we're talking eons now, I used to be a BSA leader. I'd tell the young scouts that if they wanted to get past the tenderfoot plateau they would have to work and learn and pass tests. One of the most important things they would have to master was rope work and various knots and splices.

There is only one true way to tie a bowline and several other ways to tie a fauxline.

Think spring,
O J

I don't know about the bowline but there are definitely several ways to tie up a fraulein.

[tjr818]

Bondage, JET-SKIS
This thread is becoming R rated.

[Neil Gordon]

I don't know about the bowline but there are definitely several ways to tie up a fraulein.

Practicing knot tying, and especially learning that various knots have various applications, is necessary to insure the safety of the vessel, its passengers and crew.

[hilbert]

Apparently, this course is not offered in Baltimore (maybe because a lack of diversity?).




(From The Wire Season 2, Episode 5).

[Cathy Monaghan]

...Does anyone know if there are nay requirements to learn some basic knots in order to get a safe boating certificate these days?

There just don't seem to be many boy scouts these days, Steve.

When Bruce and I took the Safe Boating Class offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary back in the 1980s, they taught some basic knots. Most intro to sailing classes also go over those same basic knots.

I would think that the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron would still teach that stuff in the courses that they offer. Anyone taken one of these classes lately? If so, let us know what you learned.

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

[Neil Gordon]

When Bruce and I took the Safe Boating Class offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary back in the 1980s, they taught some basic knots.

Mid 90s is when I took the CG Safe Boating/Sailing course. As I remember (I have the course book somewhere!), they taught the correct way to secure a line to a cleat, bowline, and sheet bend, and maybe some basic hitches.

Found on board LIQUIDITY, although not all knots all the time:
Bowline: lots of uses that don't need explanation
Round turn and two half hitches: my favorite for securing fenders to a railing or lifeline
Rolling hitch: on occasion, e.g., if I'm setting up a bridle on the anchor rode
Midshipmen's hitch: like a rolling hitch, but will hold a lot better
Larks head: for the Genoa sheet(s); also to add pulls to a zipper
Highwayman's hitch: for securing the dinghy to a rail; I can board and quick-release with a tug on the bitter end
Figure eight: as a stopper
Clove hitch: sometimes for fenders, but I prefer the round turn and two half hitches
Buntline hitch: whenever jamming is a good thing!
Reef knot: used only for the reefing!
Thieves knot: used to secure my supply of single malt if any of you are expected as guests