What knots & bends?

[lakelandterrier]

I want to teach Mrs T & the puppies some key knots & bends so they can be more involved whilst afloat (& I have to do less).

I have a shortlist of he most useful knots & bends - more than which I seldom use:
Bowline
(Double) sheet bend
Clove hitch
Figure of eight
round turn 2 half hitches

Is this a good list that all should know & be able to apply?
I've found I seldom use more than this, so am I missing anything for general purpose use? i'm quite happy to have the expertise myself if we ever need a reverse lay double barreled sideways hitch with knobs on.
do people NEED to know more than my top 5? and if so in what circumstances?

[marinesafety]

A bowline and round turn and two half hitches will do most things you need on a RIB.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by marinesafety

A bowline and round turn and two half hitches will do most things you need on a RIB.

I also find myself using a clove hitch, particularly for fenders on a short stop. Too lazy for the rt and 2 half hitches

[jyasaki]

I find one of the most useful (after the bowline) is the Alpine Butterfly Knot (goes by several other names I can't recall offhand.) Makes a loop in the middle of a line with no access to the ends. Biggest plusses are that it holds well, and unties easily after a heavy load is placed on it. Perfect for forming a loop in your anchor line for the carabiner, and can be used to shorten a line.

Alpine Butterfly Loop | How to tie the Alpine Butterfly Loop | Climbing Knots


jky

[Doug Stormforce]

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

I want to teach Mrs T & the puppies some key knots & bends so they can be more involved whilst afloat (& I have to do less).

I have a shortlist of he most useful knots & bends - more than which I seldom use:
Bowline
(Double) sheet bend
Clove hitch
Figure of eight
round turn 2 half hitches

Is this a good list that all should know & be able to apply?
I've found I seldom use more than this, so am I missing anything for general purpose use? i'm quite happy to have the expertise myself if we ever need a reverse lay double barreled sideways hitch with knobs on.
do people NEED to know more than my top 5? and if so in what circumstances?

I know it sounds basic but they need to know how to secure to a cleat and how to coil a rope.

This list you have got could probably loose the fig of 8. It's not the best stopper knot on the planet as it comes undone too easily. The only stopper knot on my RIBS is on the elephants trunk anyway so it's not something the crew need to tie regularly.

While clove hitch has a purpose it can generally be replaced by the round turn and 2 half hitches.

I teach RIB students the following

Bowline
Round turn and 3 half hitches (3 or more)
Double sheetbend
Securing to a cleat + locking turn
Coiling a line

More if they are interested but the above serves them quite well

[Max...]

I only ever use the list of five you gave - the site that jky linked to is a marvel and I learnt mine off there. Learnt a few others too for the fun of it - the higwayman's hitch as I grew up with cowboy films and loved when they pulled the rope to release the horse... LOL

I would recommend 'Knots and Splices' by Steve Judkins too - only book you really need and incredibly clear and easy to follow.

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Doug Stormforce

Round turn and 3 half hitches (3 or more)

Why the superfluous half hitches? All that achieves is a knot that takes longer to undo!

Definitely agree about teaching to coil a rope and make fast to a cleat. It continues to amaze me how many people can't do that properly.

[Andy B]

If you want to teach someone (or learn yourself )
I found this site very helpfull,
All knots shown in step by step pictures
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexbo...matedknots.com

[jwalker]

Bowline first, round turn n two half hitches and occasionally a clove hitch. It's useful if you need to tie to something not using the end of the rope, a pole or similar because you can make it by forming two simple loops and laying them together. Even if the ends of the rope are tied off already. And tying to a cleat, obviously. Hehe, I'll tell you what bugs me, when some 'helper' coils my long warps over their hand and elbow.... Don't do it!

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by Doug Stormforce

Securing to a cleat + locking turn

No criticism just interested: on both PB1 and PB2 we were taught that it is very bad practice to use the locking turn. Can't really remember why but I always have an argument when frenchies try and do it. 0800 is RYA standard isn't it?

Oh and jw, what wrong with the elbow trick (not that we use it just wondering?)