We have known sea knots since the advent of navigation, but primitive people used them for their own purposes. It is believed that they began to knit ropes long before fire was produced. The sailors created strong knots, because the speed of movement of the sailboat and the safety of the crew depended on the quality of the mast fastening.
Thousands of meters of rigging, masts, yards and sails were secured using intricate simple knots. There are over 500 types of maritime knots, but about 40 types are used in modern navigation.
A sea knot can save a life
One day an accident happened at sea. A submariner inadvertently fell into icy water. While the ship was approaching to help, the man managed to freeze very much. Attempts to throw a life preserver were unsuccessful.
The decision was made to throw the rope. The drowning man's hands were frozen; he could not cope with the rope on his own. The man girded himself, but did not have the strength to tighten it himself.
The sailors pulled the rope, and it tightened on its own. The structure was able to hold the victim, and he was pulled onto the deck. The rope fastening has saved more than one life, so it is treated with respect.
It is not easy to connect the cables well. Classic knots, which are used in everyday life for lacing, are unsuitable for maritime use. This is a universal design that is quickly tied and easily untied with a jerk.
Non-snacking verp
Often during fishing, such a nuisance occurs as the anchor clinging to snags, stones or vegetation on the bottom. To release it, they resort to one of the following methods:
- the person dives and tries to unhook on his own;
- use a cable with a float.
When fishing from a watercraft in water areas where the anchor arms can converge, it is necessary to additionally tie a cable with a float attachment (rubber ball, foam). If the anchor gets stuck, this will become a safety net - it allows you to pull it out without problems.
Non-hooking anchor
Classification of maritime knots
All names of sea knots came to us from other languages.
The term “anchor knot” was denoted by several different words depending on the design feature of the knitting:
- “knot” - they intertwine, connecting the running edge with the main one, a thickening is created at the end of the rope;
- “hitch” - designed to secure the running end to yards, masts, other gear and objects;
- “bend” - used to increase the length of the cable by tying the two ends.
Important!
The main section of the rope is a section that is permanently fixed. The running end is the free edge, which is not attached to anything; the rope begins to be tied from it.
Beginners are advised to master the technique of knitting basic knots, which are often used in sailing. You need to start with simple designs, gradually complicating the technique. Tying one knot should be brought to automaticity, only then begin to study a new design. It should be remembered that many node names come from English-language dialects. The same mount can have up to 7 names.
Types and applications
The ability to tie a sea knot was highly valued in times when sailboats were in use. English terminology is common for classification. It is based on the characteristics of the fastener; there are 3 groups:
- Knot - created by intertwining the main end with the running end of the rope with a characteristic thickening.
- Hitch - used for fastening to a support, which is wrapped around the running end.
- Bend - needed to connect separate ends of different ropes.
Knot sea knot
Strong sea knots, designed for tying sails and rigging gear, are now used in fishing. This is the most reliable way to secure a broken fishing line, attach a hook or sinker.
There are more than 500 weavings described in the literature. Of these, about 40 types are currently used.
Frequently used sea knots
The bowline is a universal knot, as it can be easily tied on a rope of any thickness. It is also called a "gazebo knot". It will not untie on its own and does not slide along the rope, but it can be untied without effort if the need arises. The connection is one of the strongest. It is used for belaying, attaching to the ring and hook, mooring and connecting various cables.
Knitting pattern:
- A loop is created into which the running section is drawn.
- Next, it is brought behind the root part.
- Returned back to the loop.
- The small tip should remain in the second loop.
- Perform a tight tightening.
Eight got its name due to its external resemblance to the number of the same name. It is used as an independent option or as an element for tying other fasteners. Used for securing or stopping. Its peculiarity is that such an anchor knot can be easily untied when the rope gets wet.
Knitting pattern:
- The running edge is pulled along the root edge and drawn around it.
- The running end is brought behind itself and threaded into the resulting loop.
- Tighten tightly.
A noose is used to lift a load to a height, as well as attach a rope to a support. The chassis is wrapped around the object, and the root section is wrapped around the chassis several times. It is most reliable if a control tightening is used in the noose for fixation.
When using the maximum breaking load, after removing the load, the rope is easily untied. The connection is very strong and does not lose strength when wet. The carbine noose is widely used in mountaineering. The chassis is attached to a figure-of-eight carabiner, and the free part can wrap around a support, such as a tree.
The bayonet is tied from two knots. It is complex in design, suitable for towing and mooring. It is based on a simple half bayonet. The chassis is circled around the object, then several times around the root part. The bayonet is appropriate when the ship stays in port for a long time.
There are several variations of knitting. A variation of it is the anchor knot, which is also called a fishing bayonet. It is used in situations where strong thrust is involved, for example when lowering an anchor.
Straight knots are appropriate for fastening the running gear of two different cables. The disadvantage of the design is that it tightens very tightly after getting wet under excessive load, so it will be difficult to untie it. With intensive use, this anchor assembly may slip. Knitting pattern:
- The two root parts are connected.
- Move the running ends relative to each other and tighten.
- To prevent the structure from losing symmetry, the ends are brought out along both sides of the root sections.
The thief's knot is considered a type of straight knot; it is used for household needs, for example, tying bags of grain. It is knitted in a similar way, directing the ends of the structure diagonally in relation to the root part of the ropes. During loading, the connection may change shape, resembling a half-bayonet.
The displacement leads to mutual untangling of the ends. To prevent the rope from untying, change the location of the ends. They are pressed and the root parts are tightened. If the edges are hidden, the connection may be externally confused with a direct fastening.
The most fragile is the mother-in-law's knot. It is also called a woman's knot. It is not used in maritime affairs due to unreliability, but on shore it is successfully used for packaging goods and tying bags. The edges of the undercarriage are intertwined and tied. Despite the apparent strength, there is a high probability of the knot slipping and untying under strong tension.
The worst thing to do is connect ropes of different diameters. When choosing this design, the degree of danger should be assessed, since the connection will come undone at the most inopportune moment.
Half bayonet and bayonet
The half-bayonet is not tightened; to perform it, the running end is wrapped around the object on which it is planned to fasten the cable, the main one is circled and passed through the formed loop. Next, both ends are fastened together. The unit can withstand heavy weight and is reliable.
Bayonet Knot
Using a bayonet, the mooring ends are fixed and towing is performed. It is based on 3 half-bayonets - this quantity is enough for any purpose. It cannot be assumed that 4 or 5 half-bayonets are stronger; the effect when used will be the same.
Gordian knot and sea knot: differences
The Gordian knot cannot be untied. Legend tells that once upon a time the Phrygian king Gordius built a very complex and intricate fastening connecting a cattle yoke and a cart. The fortuneteller mentioned that the person who can unravel it will rule the world.
In 334 AD. Alexander the Great accepted the challenge to untie the structure and cut it with a sword. This prediction largely came true. The commander managed to conquer many countries and create the largest monarchy of that time. Since then, it has been believed that “cutting the Gordian knot” means making a quick decision on a complex issue. The marine counterpart is strong, but can be untied without effort. Just pull the free end.
Important!
The strength of the knot does not depend on the knitting technique chosen. In order for the fastener to fulfill its function, it must be tied correctly.
Nowadays the sea anchor unit is used on sailboats, submarines and surface ships. Ropes and cables are used on all ships. Without them, the crew of a modern fleet will not go on a voyage. Most often, rope gear is used for securing cargo and mooring. The sailor will tie a complex fastening in a matter of seconds.
A properly connected structure should withstand fourteen times the load. The fancy names of the connections are sometimes jarring, but the knot contains the wisdom of sailors from all over the world, belonging to previous generations. Rope fastening combines reliability, simplicity and common sense. Old sailors talk about friendship as connected by a sea knot.
What are the requirements for anchors for PVC boats?
You can choose the appropriate anchor for a PVC boat. It must meet the requirements:
- absence of pointed and cutting protrusions;
- presence of anti-corrosion treatment;
- the selection of the product is made in accordance with the bottom of the reservoir (if there is a high probability of snags, it should be possible to free it independently);
- small size (better folding option);
- the mass should be no more than 10% of the permissible carrying capacity of the craft (or calculate the weight of the product based on the length of the boat: multiply it by a factor of 0.01);
- the presence of synthetic rope (this material is more durable in use);
- a chain link between the anchor and the rope, which guarantees that the boat is fixed at a better level.
