Page 72 - Frank Rosenow "Seagoing Knots"

The Purchase Loop

You are cordially invited to a Formula 40 launching at Dana Point. Gino
Morelli, the designer, is there, and you may glimpse the shining pate of
Alex KotzlofF, the physicist who kept the Little America’s Cup cat trophy
in the U.S. for so long. We will focus, however, on Rick Blethem, a young

man in Navajo Indian sandals who used to build Kevlar nose cones for
NASA space rockets.
As soon as the boat hits the water, Rick starts to set up the rigging. The
mast is raised with ordinary cordage and set to the rake and position it will
have under sail.
To firm up the lines so the wire rig may be cut to the right length on the
spot, Rick employs a purchase loop knot. Thereby, he gains a double
purchase.
The strain on the tail of the rope is so slight that he hazards fastening it

with several half hitches further down the line, as seen in the drawing.

SEAGOING KNOTS
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