Page 77 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

anything but a camel (see below), making off tool is absolutely secure, uncommonly compact (so the
lanyards, etc. The round turn distributes strain and foot of the sail will get as close as possible to the
chafe across a greater number of rope fibers than a yard), and simple enough that one can tie and untie
single turn would, while the two Half Hitches pro- it while hanging head-down 100 or so feet above
vide jam-resistant security (Figure 3-8). But this is the water. The same virtues make it ideal for tying
an old workhorse, set in its ways, and it doesn’t get a halyard to a bosun’s chair—it and the Butterfly
along well with modern cordage; even under load, are the only knots I go up on—or to hang fenders,
the hitches can untie themselves. To make them stay or a hammock, or to attach staysail sheets. Its one
put, seize the end to the standing part with a Double drawback is that it can jam under heavy loads, so
Constrictor. This is easily cut away when you want you want to be selective about its use, applying it to
to untie the knot. lines that are either under moderate loads, or don’t
It is widely held that reversed Half Hitches are have to be untied often.
the mark of a lubber, but there doesn’t seem to be
any structural justification for this belief. Perhaps The Anchor Hitch
the scorn stems from the can’t-make-up-my-mind- This one’s a little more involved in the making, but
which-way-to-hitch appearance of the reversed worth the effort. The end is passed over the standing
version. Or perhaps it’s because reversing the turns part and under a round turn to form a sort of com-
takes a little more time and manipulation to tie. In pound Half Hitch, and all is drawn up well (Figure
any event, I recommend same-direction hitches, if 3-10). A Half Hitch and seizing are usually added
only for the sake of confusion-reducing uniformity. to secure the end.
This knot’s primary virtue is that it holds well
The Buntline Hitch on lines that are alternately slack and taut, such as
On a square-rigger the buntlines run from the mast anchor rodes; it doesn’t work loose, and it doesn’t
to blocks on the yards, down the face of the sail, jam either. I didn’t fully appreciate this knot until
and are tied with this knot to the foot of the sail. In one summer when I met crews from two boats that
furling, the buntlines contain the middle, or “bunt” had both lost anchors from Bowline-secured rodes.
of the sail. Why this particular knot to secure that When you want insurance and can take the time,
particular line? Because the job calls for a knot that use an Anchor Hitch. Make an extra tuck and the

Figure 3-9. The Buntline Hitch. Make a turn around Figure 3-10. The Anchor Hitch also begins with a
the standing part, then reenter with the end for a Half round turn, then the end is passed behind the stand-
Hitch around the standing part. Draw up. ing part and under the turns. Half Hitches or a Round
Seizing are frequently added for long-term security.

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