Boating Knots Made Easy – Don’t get Yourself in a Knot!

Are you from the school of thought that “If you can’t tie knots, tie lots”? Terrified of ending up with a pile of rope that looks more like spaghetti? Well worry no more – we’ve put together a handy boating knot and sailing rope work resource list for you!

RYA Resources for Boating Knots, Splices and Sailing Rope Work

RYA Knots, Splices and Ropework | RYA Training Manuals

The RYA has unrivalled training materials for sailing and boating. Paperback manuals are available, although many students now prefer using the comprehensive range of ebooks.

Ebooks are available on: IOS, Android, and Kindle Fire. The RYA are currently developing versions for PC and Mac desktop. You can find out more about RYA ebooks here.

Our top recommended guide for learning boating knots is the RYA Knots, Splices and Rope Work ebook.

A handy quick reference book to have when out sailing is the RYA Pocket Guide to Boating Knots.

After initially learning to tie knots with your RYA instructor, you can then practice at home. If you are online you can find lots of informative videos on boating knots. We really like this resource: Animated Knots – Boating Knots

While knots are designed to be tied and untied, splicing is a permanent way to secure rope. If you would like practice information on splicing, then visit Animated Knots splicing page.

RYA Training Syllabus for Boating Knots, Splices and Sailing Rope Work

Boating Knots | Bowline | Grenada Bluewater Sailing

The RYA has eight main knots that are used on board during practical training.

You first learn to tie boating knots on the RYA Competent Crew practical course. Within the syllabus there is also a section on sailing rope work. It covers the following:

  1. Handling ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards
  2. Handling warps.
  3. Ability to tie the following knots and to know their correct use: figure-of-eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend, reef knot.

The RYA Day Skipper theory syllabus looks at boating knots and sailing rope work too. It focuses on:

  1. Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use.
  2. Ability to use and general knowledge of: figure of eight, bowline, clove hitch, reef knot, single and double sheet bend, rolling hitch, round turn and two half hitches.

So now you see that it’s easy to learn to tie knots! Grab a piece of rope and get practicing. If you are on board a yacht, or at home, you can have a fun knot tying competition with everyone. And for a challenge you can try this…