Page 89 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

opportunities for fumbling, and is very quickly com-
pleted. In fact, the only Bowline that takes less time
to make isn’t really a Bowline at all.

Tugboat (or Flying) Bowline
Call it what you will, this Bowline is really a form
of the Angler’s Loop (see “Six in the Bight,” above),
a strong knot with excellent lead but also with a
tendency to jam. So, if it’s not a Bowline, why is
it described here? Because sailors at times need
a Bowline faster than a Bowline can be made. So
they use this knot instead and think so highly of it,
despite its shortcomings, that they call it after the
King. Think of it as a royal bastard.
It is an action knot; the odds are that when you
use it you will be in a hurry, and I’ve never seen
anyone demonstrate it without the prefatory phrase,
“So you’re running down the deck, see. . . . ” In
truth, it can be done in a hot New York nanosecond,
at a dead run.

Dragon Bowline
Whew! Exertion. There are so many more Bowlines:
made on or with a bight, slipped, from Half Hitches,
with round turns, interlocked and running, as well
as all the national variations (French, Spanish, Por-
Figure 3-24. Slipknot Bowline. The tricky part of this tuguese, Chinese), but six at one sitting is plenty, so
knot is making the Slipknot. Lay the line over your let’s finish up with an ancient, nasty trick. It’s best
wrist as shown, with the standing part nearest you. done after an exchange of unusual knots, like some
Reach around behind the end and grab the standing of those just mentioned. At the proper moment,
part, thumb uppermost. Hang on and pull your hand casually ask, “Ever see a Dragon Bowline?”
out of the loop, and you’ll have a Slipknot. Leave it If your audience hasn’t read this book, they will
loose. If you haven’t already done so, pass or flip the probably answer, “No, how do you make that one?”
end around the post, and drop the end into the bight Look at them carefully for a moment, as if
of the Slipknot. The Slipknot should be looser than uncertain that they are worthy of the knowledge
is shown. Haul on the standing part, and a Bow- you are about to impart. Then slowly make an ordi-
line will spill into existence. (lower left by Margaret nary Bowline and place it very gently on the ground,
Wilson-Briggs) “with the standing part leading straight out, like
this.” If they’ve seen the Slipknot or Tugboat (Fly-
only misfortune was that there were no spectators ing) versions, they’ll be staring with rapt attention,
around to witness this neat trick. waiting for something to happen. Pick up the stand-
Of course, the Slipknot Bowline’s usefulness ing part and walk away, explaining, “Now that’s a
isn’t limited to tight situations; some people use it draggin’ Bowline.”
almost exclusively, since it is easy to tie, minimizes Be prepared to duck.

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