Page 20 - Knots and Splices (1st Edition)

KNOTS & SPLICES BK5.0 1/21/06 11:03 Page 19

23 PORTUGUESE BOWLINE 23a
The Portuguese Bowline, like the Bowline on the
Bight (22), provides a pair of loops, but in this case
it is tied at the end of a line and the two loops can
be adjusted for size. This is useful when using the
Portuguese Bowline as a temporary bosun’s chair,
because one loop can be sat in while the other
is adjusted for size and drawn up to support the
person’s back with the knot itself against his or
her chest.
To tie the Portuguese Bowline first form a small
anti-clockwise loop, then pass the working end up
through it. Form a second anti-clockwise loop and 23b
again pass the working end up through the small
loop (23a). Finish by passing the working end
behind the standing part, in an anti-clockwise
direction, and down through the small loop (23b).
The two loops can now be adjusted separately for
size (23c).

23c

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