Vol. 64, No. 3 Autumn 2019 280


3. Ratline knots.


On a model, this problem can be solved by tying a modifi ed clove hitch on the outside shroud. (Figures 3 and 4) Using this modifi ed clove hitch, instead of the pennant pointing outboard and horizontally, it points inboard and downward, hiding it out of sight. When tying the modifi ed clove hitch, wrap the pennant end around the outside of the shroud and towards the back of the hitch, insert the end between the shroud and the bottom loop of the clove hitch, and fi nally lead it around to the backside of the shroud to the inside of the shroud and point it downwards. When you have fi nished rigging the ratlines, cut off the pennant ends shorter as in fi gure 1.


T ere is a potential problem if you want to adjust the modifi ed hitch in order to take out the slack in the ratline and make it look more ship shape. If you pull down on the pennant end inside the shroud, the hitch will become untied and dissolve into a simple overhand knot. When rigging ratlines, tighten them between the outer shrouds in the usual way by pulling the ends. T en carefully follow the line through the modifi ed hitch at the outer shrouds and tighten it up little by little. Finally, carefully pull on the pennant end and arrange the hitch to look ship-shape. Double


4. Ratline knots.


check your work by tracing the pennant end to make sure that it is inside the outboard shroud, pointing downwards, and the line makes three turns around the outboard shroud. If you see two turns, something is amiss, so retie the knot.


As a fi nal step I apply a drop of artist’s matte varnish diluted 50-percent with paint thinner to hold it all together. I leave the knots to dry overnight and apply a second drop the next day. I do not trim the pennants until the varnish is completely dry, usually aſt er three or four days. Do not trim the pennants so short they cannot be seen. Leave just a little because, while it may look better to leave nothing showing, cutting the pennant too short can lead to disaster. T e knots can work themselves free with the cycling changes in temperature and humidity; I once cut some as short as possible and had to retie most of them two years later when I moved from California to Arkansas.


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