Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard brokerage

Sailing Knot secrets - Tie the mighty 'King of Joinery'

by Captain John Jamieson on 5 Sep 2012
Join two lines together with the double-becket bend (also called a "double sheet bend"). Take care to bunch the turns up to make it tight and secure. (illustration from "Seamanship Secrets") Captain John Jamieson http://www.skippertips.com
Imagine that you find you need a twenty foot spring line to dock your boat in a stiff wind. And you have just a collection of shorter lengths of line left aboard. What is the solution? John Jamieson (Captain John) here offers an answer:

You dig in the sail locker and find you have two shorter lines--one an old Genoa sheet and the other a short length of three-strand nylon. Which sailing knot would be the right choice for the job? Add this powerhouse sailing knot to your list of 'best knots to know' aboard your small sailboat today!

Anytime you join one line to another, you want a knot that will hold under a shock load. Think of any line like a rubber-band. Boat wakes, tidal rise and fall, and wind gusts push and pull on your line.

Choose Your Joinery Method.

You have many choices, but two are easy to tie, easy to remember and can be made fast and secure. You could use the common bowline.

Tie a bowline in one line; pass the other line through the eye and tie a second bowline. This makes a strong, secure way to join two lines. But you will need a lot of line (small bowlines will take about 12' of each line) and you'll end up with two bulky knots in the line instead of one.

Your second choice--the double-becket bend (also called a double-sheet bend)--makes a strong, compact knot. It's often used to join two lines of unequal diameter, but you can use it to join two lines of equal diameter too.

Follow these three easy steps to success:

1. Make a Teardrop

Form an upside down teardrop (or raindrop) shape with the larger of the two lines--or one of two lines if they're the same diameter. Hold the teardrop in your non-dominant hand with the fat part of the drop facing down (first illustration).


2. Pass the Becket

Pull the other line (or the smaller line) through the back of the teardrop and bring several inches toward you. Form a loose loop on one side of the teardrop. Pass the line around the back of the teardrop and through the loop. Do this twice (second illustration).


3. Cinch Up the Knot

Make your knot tight and compact. Pull on both standing parts and bitter ends a bit at a time. You want the knot to stay put under surge or shock load (third illustration).


Every sailing skipper needs to know the best sailing knots that will give him or her the triple benefit of security, compactness, and reliability. Use the well-tested double-becket bend to join two lines together the next time you find yourself near the end of your rope!

John Jamieson (Captain John) with 25+ years of experience shows you the no-nonsense cruising skills you need for safer sailing worldwide. Visit his website at www.skippertips.com for a free issue of the highly popular 'Captain John's Sailing Tips' newsletter. Discover how you can gain instant access to hundreds of sailing articles, videos, e-Books and more!

John Jamieson is also the author and illustrator of the book 'Seamanship Secrets' published by International Marine / McGraw-Hill.
Cure Marine - Cure 55 - FooterHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER

Related Articles

£6500 raised for Morvargh Sailing Project
Local fundraising dinner at Langston House in Devon Langston House, a beautifully restored Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse, opened its gates for the first time on 18th June to host a magical midsummer fundraising evening. The event brought together the local community.
Posted on 6 Jul
Simena is born
Ares Yachts launches its first superyacht ARES Yachts has reached a major milestone. The Antalya-based shipyard has made a bold entry into the world of superyachts with the launch of SIMENA, its first vessel in the 60+ metre range
Posted on 5 Jul
The value of insurance.
Fire and boats are never a good mix. It used to blamed on gas, now it is electricity... Fire and boats are never a good mix. In the old days much of it ended up being blamed on gas, whereas today, electricity is often the route cause.
Posted on 3 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike.
Posted on 2 Jul
60m Perini Navi Sailing Yacht Katana delivered
An important milestone in the relaunch of the Perini Navi brand The Italian Sea Group is proud to announce the delivery of S/Y Katana, a 60-metre sailing ketch. This marks an important milestone in the relaunch of the Perini Navi brand, now fully integrated within the Group.
Posted on 2 Jul
Packing for a Summer Sailing Weekend
Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time, particularly when you're out on the water. The day may start windless, with a little dew on the ground, but a sea breeze can pick up in the afternoon.
Posted on 1 Jul
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina.
Posted on 1 Jul
New Zero Weight 2-in-1 Shorts from Henri-Lloyd
When the weather's hot, there's nothing better to keep you cool on or off the water When the weather's hot, there's nothing better than Henri-Lloyd's Zero Weight 2-in-1 shorts to keep you cool on or off the water.
Posted on 30 Jun
Barton Marine Partners with Amarcord Marine
To Distribute Product Range in Hungary Barton Marine continues to expand its distribution network through the appointment of Amarcord Marine Ltd in Hungary. Amarcord Marine is the sister company of Galco Yachting Ropes, a well-established family-owned manufacturer.
Posted on 30 Jun
Preparing my boat for crossing the Atlantic
Nico takes you aboard Sine Finis, revealing essential steps in preparation for an ocean crossing Sailboats navigate through harsh environments, saltwater, waves, wind, and high forces, sometimes violent. Whether sailing for an hour or preparing for an ocean crossing, ensuring my boat is ready and well-equipped is always a priority.
Posted on 30 Jun