Marlinspike Seamanship

1 Lesson Objectives

• Identify different types of line and materials used to make line • Identify different parts of a line • Tie various , hitches and bends • Identify deck hardware • Identify typical dock lines • Set-up a heaving line 2 Seamanship

• Art of handling & working all kinds of fiber, synthetic & wire • Includes – Knotting, splicing, worming, parceling, serving & fancy work • What to a landlubber is - ROPE • To a seaman is - LINE

3 Line Material

• Natural Fiber – Manila, Sisal, Hemp, Jute, Cotton, Flax

• Synthetic – Nylon, Polyester (Dacron), Polypropylene

• Wire Rope – Steel strands

4 Natural Fiber Line

• Best is Manila – Has strength, durability & minimal stretch • Sisal is cheaper, but inferior • Disadvantages – Shrinks when wet – Will rot if stowed wet – Size for size, weaker than synthetic

5 Synthetic Line

• General - good wet/dry strength, resists water, mildew & rot • Nylon - strongest, resists chafing, has most stretch, does not shrink when wet, good for anchor and mooring • Polypropylene - floats, costs less, deteriorates in sunlight, hard, slips on cleats, cuts 6 Wire Rope

• Maximum STRENGTH • Minimum STRETCH • Used mostly on sailboats for standing and running rigging • Used on davits

7 Types of Line

Double Braided

Three Strand

8 Composition of Three Strand Line

strands yams

rope

9 Double Braided Line

core

10 “Ends” of Line

• Ends need to be protected from fraying & unlaying • Ends can be – Whipped with thread/small stuff – Taped with waterproof tape – Dipped in plastic liquid – Melted with heat/flame

11 A Few “Knotty” Terms

• Bend – a used to join two lines together • Hitch – a knot used to fasten a line to a spar or ring • Bitter end - the free end of a line • Standing Part - the longer part of a line which is fixed during the tying of a knot • - the part of the rope between the end and the standing part. A loop formed by folding the rope back on itself 12 A Few “Knotty” Terms

• Eye - A loop made in the end of a rope either by knotting, or splicing. • Loop - a circle of rope made by bringing two parts of the rope together without crossing them over each other • - a loop or bight formed around a post, rail, or the line itself • Round Turn - a complete turn or encircling of a line about an object

13 Good Knots

• Good knots should: – Have good holding power – Tie easily – Untie easily • Three types of knots: – Stopper knots – Hitches – Bends • What does each type do? 14

Parts of a Line

Overhand Loop Bitter End or Working End Underhand Loop

Standing Part 15 Parts of a Line

Bight

Turn

Round Turn 16 Basic Mariner’s Knots, Hitches & Bends

• Figure Eight • Square or • • or Becket Bend • Half Hitches •

17 Figure Eight Knot

• The • It can be untied after being jammed • Used on all lines on sailboat except spinnaker sheets

18 Square or Reef Knot

• Used to secure reefed sail to boom • Fasten two lines of equal size • Difficult to untie if jammed

19 Clove Hitch

• Used to tie line to piling • Will work loose if load comes from different directions • Knot will jam under load • Difficult to untie if load cannot be relieved

20 Clove Hitch

• Use to tie fender to railing

21 Sheet Bend or Becket Bend

• Single Becket Bend: – Used to join lines of the same size – Intended to be temporary

22 Sheet Bend or Becket Bend

• Double Becket Bend: – Used to join lines of unequal size – Intended to be temporary – Two wraps around and under the standing part

23 Two Half Hitches

• Used to tie a line to a Ring, Piling, Post or Grommet • Easier to untie under tension and more permanent than a clove hitch • Additional half hitches or a round turn will add strength

and security 24

The Bowline

• The King of Knots • Will not slip • Easy to untie • Tie lines to fittings • Tie lines of equal or unequal size together • Tie a rode to an anchor

25 The Bowline • Start with an – The rabbit comes up through the hole – Around the tree – Then back down into the hole

26 Can You Identify These Knots?

A B C

E

D F 27 Cleats and Chocks

28 Cleat Hitch

29 Lark’s Head

30 Chocks and Chafing Gear

• Used to protect boat and line

31 Securing Cleats

• Use “through bolts” and backing block

Deck

Backing Block

32 Securing Lines

Bow Bitts

Samson Post

33 Dipping the Eye

• Other boat’s eye on piling • Your eye can be removed or put on without disturbing the other boat’s line

34 35 Special Lines • Lead Line • Measures Depth of Water • Weighted with a lead weight • (Hollow end for bottom sample)

36 Dock Lines

• Spring line

• Bow/Stern line

37 Faking Out a Line

• Use to prevent line from kinking or tangling when being let out • Use figure eight’s

38 Faking Out a Line

39 Using a Heaving Line

• Four things to remember: 1. Line must be considerably longer than distance thrown or you will not reach the target 2. Line must be coiled carefully and evenly

Bend heaving line to tow line if necessary 40 Using a Heaving Line

• Four things to remember: 3. Hold the shipboard end of the line in one hand and the coil to be thrown in the other 4. Coil must thrown properly in an underhanded motion with a strong swinging movement

Bend heaving line to tow line if necessary 41 a Heaving Line

• Make a loop which is lead to the other hand • Hold loops previously coiled • Helps to twist line slightly to avoid kinks and twists

42 Heaving a Line

• One end is secured • Half of line in throwing hand • Swing and throw underhand • Remainder runs free

43 44