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Ropework

Tie the eight knots

Tie the eight knots every RYA Day Skipper must know — figure of eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, single and double sheet bend, reef knot, round turn and two half hitches. Rotate a 3D rope and watch each tie form, step by step. Drag to rotate, step through the tie, or read the full method for every knot below. Original artwork, RYA terminology.

Interactive 3D knots — the step-by-step guide for all eight is below.

Every knot, with the tie written out step by step.

Figure of eight

Stopper

A stopper that keeps a sheet from running out through a block or fairlead — and, unlike a plain overhand, never binds so hard you cannot undo it.

  1. 1Lead the end across the front of the standing part to make a loop.
  2. 2Carry it round behind — the rope now shows a clear figure 8.
  3. 3Tuck the end down through the first loop and draw up snug.

Clove hitch

Hitch

A quick, adjustable hitch for hanging fenders on a guardrail. It can work loose under a changing pull, so it is not a mooring knot.

  1. 1One turn over the rail and round the back.
  2. 2A second turn, crossing diagonally over the first.
  3. 3Tuck the end under its own cross and snug both parts down.

Rolling hitch

Hitch

Grips ALONG a loaded rope or spar — the knot to take the strain off a riding turn or a jammed sheet. Load it lengthways and it locks.

  1. 1First turn around the loaded part, on the side the pull comes from.
  2. 2A second turn riding snug against the first — this pair does the gripping.
  3. 3Cross over and finish with a hitch on the far side. Loaded lengthways, it bites.

Bowline

Loop

The king of knots: a fixed loop that never slips and always unties, even after load — a mooring line over a post, a sheet onto a headsail.

  1. 1Make a small loop in the standing part — the rabbit hole.
  2. 2The end (the rabbit) comes up through the hole…
  3. 3…round behind the standing part and back down the hole. Dress it tight.

Sheet bend

Bend (joins two ropes)

also: single sheet bend

Joins two ropes — and the one to reach for when they are different sizes, where a reef knot would slip. The bight is made in the thicker rope.

  1. 1Make a bight in the thicker rope. Bring the thin end up through the eye.
  2. 2Lead it round behind both legs of the bight.
  3. 3Tuck it under its own standing part — not under the bight. Draw up.

Double sheet bend

Bend (joins two ropes)

A sheet bend with a second turn round the bight — more security for slippery or very unequal ropes, or a load that will not stay steady.

  1. 1Begin as a sheet bend — thin end up through the eye and round the bight.
  2. 2Take a SECOND turn round both legs of the bight.
  3. 3Tuck under your own standing part and work it snug.

Reef knot

Bend (joins two ropes)

also: square knot

Binds two ends of the SAME rope around a bundle — reefing a sail, tying a sail cover. “Left over right, then right over left.” Not a load-bearing join.

  1. 1Left end over right and tuck under — a half knot.
  2. 2Now right over left and under — the second half knot.
  3. 3Both parts lie flat and parallel. Snug it down square.

Round turn & two half hitches

Hitch

Make fast to a ring or post under load. The round turn takes the strain while you tie, so it never jams and always comes undone.

  1. 1A full round turn on the post — it carries the load while you work.
  2. 2First half hitch around the standing part.
  3. 3Second half hitch the same way round. Secure, and always undoable.

Which knot for the job?

Stop a sheet running out through its fairlead
Figure of eight
Hang a fender from the guardrail, height easily changed
Clove hitch
Take the load off a sheet jammed solid on a winch
Rolling hitch
Drop a non-slip loop over a mooring post
Bowline
Join two warps of different thickness
Sheet bend
Join two slippery lines so they cannot shake loose
Double sheet bend
Tie a sail cover or bundle with two ends of one line
Reef knot
Make fast to a mooring ring so it never jams under load
Round turn & two half hitches

Now name the rest of her: explore the 3D boat anatomy — or learn the ropes in context in the ropework lesson.