I need a good rope tieing book...

[TacomaCouple]

Can anyone tell me of a good book dedicated to rope tieing for boating? I've never really tied ropes but want to gain some knowledge.

Thanks

[RafaelFigueira]

Can anyone tell me of a good book dedicated to rope tieing for boating? I've never really tied ropes but want to gain some knowledge.

I'm kind of in the same category, so I this website became a favorite: www . animatedknots . com

As you can imagine, animated knots to teach how to tie them. Easy to understand and very practical.

In the website, however, he mentions the "Ashley Book of Knots", published in 1944, that seems to a Bible of sorts: "a stunning compilation of knots and their uses. Nothing comparable has been published since and it remains the authoritative source. Despite changes and inventiveness in the last sixty years, few knots have appeared that were not described by Ashley."

Check the book here:

www . amazon . com/gp/product/0385040253?ie=UTF8&tag=aniknobygro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385040253

[Nehalennia]

I believe Chapman's is a great resource for all sorts of boating guidelines, ettiquette, protocol, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/Chapman-Piloting-Seamanship-Elbert-Maloney/dp/1588160890
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V29NV0PSL._SS500_.jpg

[TacomaCouple]

I believe Chapman's is a great resource for all sorts of boating guidelines, ettiquette, protocol, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/Chapman-Piloting-Seamanship-Elbert-Maloney/dp/1588160890
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V29NV0PSL._SS500_.jpg

I have that book...I've already read it and would like to find another book as well. Sorry, I should have said I had that book in my opener. I mean, I haven't read the WHOLE book yet but I'm sure working on it.

[TacomaCouple]

I'm kind of in the same category, so I this website became a favorite: www . animatedknots . com

As you can imagine, animated knots to teach how to tie them. Easy to understand and very practical.

In the website, however, he mentions the "Ashley Book of Knots", published in 1944, that seems to a Bible of sorts: "a stunning compilation of knots and their uses. Nothing comparable has been published since and it remains the authoritative source. Despite changes and inventiveness in the last sixty years, few knots have appeared that were not described by Ashley."

Check the book here:

www . amazon . com/gp/product/0385040253?ie=UTF8&tag=aniknobygro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385040253

I'll check it out, thanks.

[Skagit_Prince]

Boy Scouts or Royal Rangers manuals both have very good sections on knot tying.

[TacomaCouple]

nother good suggestion, thanks.

[Syzygyone]

I bought a couple of these instructon cards which come complete with practice rope. I was very happy with the ease with which I could learn various knots. I keep one on the boat and one in the camping bag. For me, if I don't use it, I lose it so it's real handy for reference for fishing, boating, camping, etc.

www.netknots.com/html/knot_cards.html

www.netknots.com/assets/images/pkkit_mini_brig.jpg

http://www.netknots.com/assets/images/pkb1.jpg

Sorry but I can't post working links yet. Have to get my post count up I guess.

[Go Aweigh2452]

I use this website:

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Knots_gallery.htm

[Skagit_Prince]

I use this website:

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Knots_gallery.htm

Nice....thanks

[SomeSailor]

A really handy reference is the Boater's Pocket Reference:

http://images.westmarine.com/full/9034927.jpg (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/278836?&cid=chanintel&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=278836)

[Timflan]

The Ashley Book of Knots is the "Bible", so to speak, although even it doesn't have EVERY knot. Harry Asher's The Alternative Knot Book has a few Ashley never encountered, one of which I've placed into daily use for years and years: The Rigger's Bend.

But seriously, if you want to learn a selection of good knots, or you want to teach knots to others, there is one book that I highly recommend: Geoffrey Budworth's "Knots" (great title, eh?). It's published by Sterling Publishing (New York) as part of the "flowmotion" line of books.

This is not especially for mariners, but I assure you, some of those "mountaineering" knots can be very useful. For instance, on my boat's foredeck I have a loop tied into the middle of a 50' dock line attached to the cleat. Each 25' tail goes down its own side of the boat, so I'm ready to step out of the cockpit with a stern line and a bow line in hand, on either side. What knot did I use to tie a loop in the middle?

"Figure-eight!" I think I heard someone shout. WRONG! A Figure-eight will work just fine, but it's a huge knot, much bulkier than necessary, and it kind of precludes using the cleat for anything else. Instead, I use a mountaineering knot called the Alpine Butterfly, which I learned from this book: It's secure, it's removable after holding a load, WITHOUT accessing either end of the line. Handy!

By the way, as long as we're talking about knots, could everybody please learn how to tie a damn cleat hitch? If your cleat hitches don't look tidy when you're done, you're doing it wrong. We can argue about tucking the bitter end or not, as that's a legitimate point of contention. But if you're taking a tuck, the finished product should maintain the "criss-cross" pattern. Except for the very first pass along the side of the cleat, no other pass starts and finishes on the same side of the cleat.

[Go Aweigh2452]

By the way, as long as we're talking about knots, could everybody please learn how to tie a damn cleat hitch? If your cleat hitches don't look tidy when you're done, you're doing it wrong. We can argue about tucking the bitter end or not, as that's a legitimate point of contention. But if you're taking a tuck, the finished product should maintain the "criss-cross" pattern. Except for the very first pass along the side of the cleat, no other pass starts and finishes on the same side of the cleat.

And make sure the first wrap goes ALL the way around the base of the cleat (not half way)...