6 ROPES, LINES AND KNOTS

(MARLINESPIKE SEAMANSHIP)
ROPE AND LINES
ROPE
Rope Construction Materials
Historically, rope was made from naturally occurring
materials such as hemp, manila, or ax and was laid in three
strands twisted together. Most rope today is made from ny-
lon, polyester, or polypropylene, which produces a product
far superior to the ropes made from the natural materials.
Other far stronger synthetic ropes, made from materials such
as Kevlar or Spectra, are becoming available.
Nylon rope is the most common in marine applications and
is characterized by its superior strength and elasticity (it
stretches). Three-strand nylon rope is three times stronger
than manila rope and double- braided nylon is about four
times stronger (see strength tables at the end of this chapter).
For some applications, such as anchoring and mooring,
the ability to stretch is a plus, but for other uses such as
sheets and halyards, nylons stretchiness is an undesirable
characteristic.
Polyester rope is about as strong as nylon but doesnt stretch
nearly as much. It is commonly used for running rigging on
sailboats.
Polypropylene rope is about twice the strength of manila
and breaks down in sunlight. Its main virtue is that it oats
(unlike the other two types), which makes it useful for tow-
ing water-skiers or a dinghy (because it wont get tangled in
your propeller).
All three of the synthetic materials are highly resistant to
rot, which is a major advantage over the natural materials.
Table 6-1 on the next page compares these materials.
The newer high tech materials like Spectra are about eight
times stronger than manila and are much less elastic than
even polyester. This makes them suitable for applications
such as standing rigging, where only wire rope would sufce
heretofore.
371
372 Boaters Pocket Reference: Chapter 6
Types of Rope
The two basic types of rope construction are either three-
strand or braided.
Three-Strand Rope
Three-strand rope is the traditional type and consists of bers
twisted into yarns, which are twisted into three strands,
which in turn are twisted into rope. Figure 6-1 shows con-
struction of three-strand rope.
Three-strand rope tends to hold knots better, is somewhat
more elastic, and is easy to splice.
Braided Rope
Braided rope is (as you might expect) braided instead of
twisted and is either single-braided or double-braided.
Double-braided rope has a braided outer sheath and an inner
braided core. Figure 6-2 shows a typical double-braided rope.
Generally, only very small ropes are single-braided.
Braided rope is stronger than three-strand, easier on the
hands, and less likely to kink.
Nylon Polyester Polypropylene
Tensile strength Highest
Almost
as high as
nylon
Lowest
Elasticity Most elastic Not elastic Somewhat
Shock loading Best Intermediate Worst
Abrasion
resistance
Best Good Good
Weight Intermediate Heaviest Lightest
Buoyancy Sinks Sinks Floats
Sun resistance Best Intermediate Poorest
Rot Very good Very good Very good
TABLE 6-1: Characteristics of Rope Making Materials
FIGURE 6-1: Three-Strand Rope
Ropes, Lines and Knots 377
Heaving Line Knot
The heaving line knot is used to add weight to the end of a
line, which can be useful when heaving a line.
KNOTS USED TO JOIN TWO LINES (BENDS)
Carrick Bend
The carrick bend is typically used to join large diameter lines
such as hawsers and steel rope. If the ends are seized it will
be much easier to untie after being placed under load since it
will not capsize so easily.
382 Boaters Pocket Reference: Chapter 6
Cleat Hitch
Start the rst turn around the end of the cleat furthest from
the direction of pull on the standing part. Continue turns
until the line looks like the illustration (2) below.
Now twist the
bight on the
end so the free
end passes
underneath and
then slip the
loop so formed
around the end
of the cleat and
draw tight. The
nished hitch should look like the following (3) with the two
lines adjacent and parallel in the center.
The cleat hitch is
used for securing
a line to a cleat. It
is mostly used for
dock-lines, hal-
yards, and sheets.
390 Boaters Pocket Reference: Chapter 6
Truckers HitchSlip
Type
The slip type truckers
hitch to the right is used
for the same purposes as
the no-slip truckers hitch
above; however, when the
free end is released back
through the eye, the knot
unties. It is also a little
quicker to tie.
LOOP KNOTS
Bowline
The bowline is one of the
stronger knots, it doesnt
slip or capsize, and it can
be easily untied. It can be
tied around objects in any
size loop and can be used
as a rescue sling to lift a
man out of the water. A bowline on the end of each of two
lines is also a good way to join two lines together since not
only does it not slip but it is also one of the stronger knots.
396 Boaters Pocket Reference: Chapter 6
Fishermans Knot (also Anglers Knot or Water
Knot)
This knot is suited
to small line such
as shing line and
is popular with
shermen. Its
very easy to tie, but is suitable
for small diameter line only and
not very good for use with rope.
The two overhand knots are
pulled tight together to nish
the knot.
Fishermans Eye
The shermans eye is one of the best known knots for mak-
ing a loop in a shing line.
Note that this is actually the same as shermans knot shown
previously, but it has a loop at one end.
Palomar
The palomar is
a very easy knot
to tie and is com-
monly used for
securing shhooks.
It is considered
one of the stronger
knots. Its meant
for small line but is
secure with larger
sizes too.
Start by tying an
overhand loop on
a bight with the
overhand loop passing through the eye of the hook as shown.