PAGE 24 • SUMMER 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
MARLINSPIKE SEAMANSHIP
By Peter Suber, Department of Philosophy, Earlham College, Richmond, Ind.
Avoid Aggravation with 'Exploding' Knots
I
f you’ve ever tried to untie a taut-line hitch on a cold need to worry about tightening this knot flat; there’s only
morning, then you know why slipped and exploding one way to tighten it, and it’s the right way. Whimper by
knots are a good idea. If the knot is tight, especially pulling the knot away from the cord that forms the bight
if the line is also wet or thin or both, your fingernails will inside the clove hitch. (If the standing part came into
tear on it. Teeth might work, but even if you were foolish the spar from the right and running part from the left, as
enough to use them, most people can’t put their mouths in the illustration, then whimper by pulling the knot out
where the taut-line hitch often resides. from the spar and to the right.)
I call these hitches “exploding” knots because they untie
2. Sliding Sheet Bend - This knot has to be studied
easily and completely with one tug of the ripcord. Unlike
closely to see its kinship to the sheet bend. If you don’t
slipped knots that untie with a ripcord, these knots leave
see the resemblance, don’t bother; just enjoy it. (It
absolutely no tangle. Yet, they give up nothing in
should not be used like a regular sheet bend to join two
strength or ease of tying.
different lengths of cord.)
Exploding knots are not merely elegant and fun, as you
will see in the field. If exploding knots save your line,
your fingernails (or teeth!), your time or your temper,
they can save your trip.
1. Clove Hitch Biting a Bight - This and the sliding sheet
Make a bight in the standing part between the spar and
bend are the easiest to tie of the non-sliding knots. It is
your load. Grab the running part (already wrapped around
so easy that even when I have the time for something
the spar) and make a loop in it by twisting
fancier, I will often tie this knot.
counterclockwise. Slide the original bight through this
loop, making a new loop on the other side. (With practice,
this step can be done in the same counterclockwise twist
that created the loop.) Stick a bight of the running part
through this new loop, and tighten by pulling on the
standing part. Lock by holding the knot and pulling on
Start a clove hitch on the standing part (End S). Instead
the non-sliding line. Unlock by pulling the two sliding
of popping it over a dock post, however, pop it over a
ends apart hard, or by flattening the knot.
bight from the running part (End R). Tighten by pulling
the standing part. Don’t let the two “coils” of the clove
For more exploding knots, go to: www.ASA.com/resources.
hitch drift too far apart while tightening. There is no
R
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