Rope Storage - Boating Guide

Rope Storage

The effects of  water, salt, sand and sun on rope fibers cause wear and tear, thereby reducing their strength.  All ropes and lines must be protected from wear and tear and checked on a regular basis.  Ropes that are not used regularly should be uncoiled from time to time to prevent them from losing their flexibility.  When storing ropes and cords, hang them in a dry place after proper coiling.

Another method is to form a loop, after coiling the line, and pass one end of the line through the loop, after wrapping it around the coil.

Basic Knots for Boaters

Knots come in a wide variety and entire books have been written about them.  Boaters need to know a few key knots suited to different tasks: to secure the boat to a hitch, to moor, to tow, etc. The important thing is to know the proper and easy-to-use knots for the job at hand. Several other knots are useful to boaters and depending on your type of vessel you may need to know even more about knots.

Square Knot

The square knot (or sailor’s knot) is used to temporarily connect two ropes of the same diameter. It is used when the line is under constant but not extreme tension.

Figure Eight Knot

The figure of eight knot is useful as a stop knot to prevent a line from slipping through a pulley, for example.  It is preferred to a half-hitch when a larger stop knot is needed.  It is also easier to untie and tightens less.

Bowline Knot

The bowline knot is used to tie a temporary loop in the end of a rope that will not tighten.  It can be easily untied even if  placed under extreme tension.

Clove Hitch

The clove hitch is used to temporarily attach a rope to a pole, a pier or any other object.

Mooring

Mooring involves holding the boat at the dock without necessarily immobilizing it.  Since water, waves and tides cause boats to move, the vessel must have some freedom of movement while remaining secured to the dock.

Mooring can be done by fastening lines to a bitt (small vertical bar) or a ring. The bowline knot or clove hitch can be used to moor to a ring, and the bowline knot, to moor to a bitt.  The boat, even an inflatable boat, must be equipped with fenders to cushion its landing at the dock.

Mooring with Lugs

Properly used, the lug can be an effective substitute
for a knot. The advantage of this type of fastener is its
resistance to the rubbing that occurs between the cord
and the lug.  The technique is simple but must be used
carefully to prevent the cord from becoming stuck. Turn
the free end of the cord clockwise around the base of
the lug; then, make figure eights, over and under each
flange. End with a half-hitch on one of the flanges. If
properly done, the line can be untied by pushing the
loose end through the half-hitch.