Page 183 - Adlard Coles "The Knot Bible"

Marline hitches
KNOT SCORE
Most yachtsmen and women nowadays use sail ties to secure a sail once Strength
it’s been lowered. There are occasions, however, when a series of large Security
marline hitches tied in a single line, leading aft from the clew to the tack, Diffi culty Tying
Diffi culty Untying
can be a very fast and effective means of stowing a sail. And you’re much
Usefulness
less likely to lose that line overboard than all those darned sail ties!

1 Secure one end of the line either 2 Take a turn around the sail about 3 Pull the line sideways to create
to the boat itself or around the sail 0.3m (1ft) away from the initial turn the first hitch, and repeat the

using a sliding loop, eg a running and pass the working end under the process until you either run out
bowline (page 131). standing part. of line or run out of sail.

4 Secure the end by tying a pair KNOT KNOW-HOW
of half hitches onto the standing
part (page 28), or simply tie it off Marline hitches are traditionally used to
to one side. stow a hammock. First, the bedding is
evenly spread, leaving 15cm (6in) clear
at either end so nothing falls out. The
working end is passed through a soft eye
splice at the standing end to form the

first hitch. Seven marline hitches are then
tied along the length of the hammock
– one for each of the Seven Seas – before

finishing with a couple of half hitches.

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