Yachting Monthly — November 2017

70 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com MONTH 2017

Bowline

Rabbits, holes and trees is the way a lot of people learn this knot,
and even the most experienced yachtsman can get confused by
the presence of an onlooker. It is possible for the knot to flip, if
the loose end is pulled, so the knot can be tied as a Yosemite
bowline or as a double bowline to make it more secure. The
bowline remains a good knot to use on all ropes although
depending on the rope used you might investigate the variations.

Yosemite Bowline

Using a Yosemite finish stops the tail of the knot being pulled,

keeping it secure. After tying the conventional bowline take the

tail around the outside of the loop it comes out against, pass it

into the loop, and tuck it in the loop next to the standing part

(or tree) This finish was stronger when used in Marlowbraid,

Doublebraid and D2, but not three strand.

Making a loop

There are many times when a loop is
needed rather than a close fitting knot.
Sailmakers, for example, wince when
seeing the fabric on a headsail clew
compressed by a knot or cow hitch. We
were primarily looking for a good knot
with which to attach genoa sheets, but a
strong loop has many uses. The bowline is
the go-to knot when it comes to making a
loop, but can it be bettered?

3 Strand 2640 1470 55.7

Marlowbraid 2850 1490 52.3

Doublebraid 3690 1600 43.4

D2 Racing 5360 2090 39.0

Rope Break

Load (kg)

Knot Break

Load (kg)

% Strength

retained

Type of

Rope

Bowline

*Cover broke, enabling the Dyneema core to slip through the knot

3 Strand 2640 1400 53.0

Marlowbraid 2850 1640 57. 5

Doublebraid 3690 1750 4 7. 4

D2 Racing 5360 2150* 40.1

Yosemite Bowline

Rope Break

Load (kg)

Knot Break

Load (kg)

% Strength

retained

Type of

Rope

Technical

The bowline, the benchmark

knot for making a loop the

end of a line. Is it the best

though?