Types of Naval Boat Knots: How Sailors Can Tie Them

Slip Knot

The slip knot is a simple and tremendously useful knot that's not limited to naval use. This knot is also known as a 'slip noose' as it performs roughly the same function as a traditional noose. A slip knot is essentially a loop at the end of a rope that tightens when weight or tension is applied to the end. In some cases, it can also be used to connect two ropes.

How to Tie a Slip Knot

1. Make a loop at the end of the rope, then make another on the opposite side.

2. Leave sore slack at the end of the rope to work with.

3. double the loop on the opposite side of the first loop.

At this point, the two loops should look somewhat like an '8'.

4. Run the end of the line towards the original loop and run it over the center of the double lines.

5. Loop the end of the line over and under the doubled-up lines twice.

6. Run the end of the line through the new loop.

7. Pull the new loop area tight.

Square Knot

The square knot is known by some as one of the strongest knots that you can tie. In reality, it's mostly used for securing items that aren't too heavy or subject to intense forces. The square knot is also known as the square hitch or the reef knot, as it is often used when reefing sails. This is also a relatively easy knot to tie, though beginners often tie it backward on their first couple of tries.

How to Tie a Square Knot

1. Take the ends of the rope (or one end of two ropes), and place them on top of each other in an 'X' formation.

2. Take the ends of the rope, bend them towards each other, and make another 'X' adjacent to the original one.

3. Take the end of the rope that lays on top of the original 'X' and feed it through the loop created by the bottom rope.

4. Pull tight.

Cleat Knot

The cleat knot, or cleat hitch, is used for tying a boat to the dock or securing almost any line to a cleat. It's a simple and clean way to fasten a line, and it's easy to tie and take out. It's surprising how often sailors ignore this knot, as we've all seen botched and mangled piles of rope on cleats at the marina. Like the square knot, the cleat knot is simple but also easy to tie improperly.

How to Tie a Cleat Knot

1. Wrap the end of the line 3/4 of the way around the end of the cleat.

2. Feed the end of the line over the end of the cleat on the side where the rope first contacts it.

3. Loop the line under the end of the cleat.

4. Bring the line up and over, and loop it under the other end of the cleat.

At this point, the top of the cleat should have an 'X' on it.

‍Bring up the end of the line and twist it into a loop above the cleat. Ensure that the bottom end of the loop (the end of the rope) is angled in the same direction as the top 'X' line
Place the loop around the other end of the cleat and pull tight.

The end of the rope should lay directly beside the initial ton 'X' line, and there should be another single line on top running in the opposite direction.

Stopper Knot

The purpose of the stopper knot is self-explanatory, as it’s essentially a ball at the end of a rope. The stopper knot stops knots from moving through or pulling out of things, which keeps items and ropes secure. They also act as a convenient way to grab the end of the rope, and they can be used to weigh down a line to make it easier to throw further. Some people feed a ring through the knot to make it easy to tie down or grab.

How to Tie a Stopper Knot

1. Make a loop at the end of the rope.

2. Feed the end of the line underneath the end of the loop.

3. Wrap the end of the line over the loop and into the new loop on the opposite side.

4. Feed the end of the line through the original loop.

5. Pull tight.

Clove Hitch

The clove hitch is used for securing lines to poles or other items. It's easy to tie and ideal for quickly attaching and removing. Clove hitches are sometimes used to tie up to docks, but this is ill-advised, as these knots are not particularly secure. They can slide up and down the pole, they're attached to, and they can come undone under stress.

How to Tie a Clove Hitch

1. Make a loop around the pole with the end of the line on the bottom.

2. Feed the end of the line over the initial loop and around the pole again.

3. Feed the end of the line under the new loop and through it.

4. Pull tight.

Sheet Bend

The sheet bend, also known as the weaver's knot, is a relatively secure way to tie two ropes together. This knot is particularly useful for connecting different sized ropes, though it can also be used to connect ropes that are the same or similar sizes. The knot is essentially just two loops that loop into each other, and the knot tends to get tighter when a load is applied to it.

How to Tie a Sheet Bend

1. Make a loop with one rope.

2. Feed the second rope through the loop.

3. Wrap the second rope around the base of the first loop, making a second loop.

4. Feed the free end of the second line underneath itself, where it comes through the first loop.

5. Pull tight.

Half Hitch

A half hitch knot is similar to the clove hitch. It's used to tie a rope to a pole, ring, or another secure object. The half hitch is not very secure, but it's a quick and easy way to tie off a line in situations where strength isn't particularly important. You can also tie two half hitch knots together for a more secure bond.

How to Tie a Half Hitch

1. Wrap the end of the rope around the pole.

2. Pass the end of the rope under the loop.

3. Pull tight.

Rolling Hitch

A rolling hitch is a unique knot designed to wrap around a rope or a pole. The characteristics of this knot allow lateral movement in one direction but not in the other. Sometimes, a rolling hitch can be used to resist movement in both directions. These knots use friction to resist movement, though some modern ropes are very slippery, and the rolling hitch may slide down them.

How to Tie a Rolling Hitch

1. Wrap the working rope around the pole (or other rope) twice.

2. Take the end of the line and wrap it behind the loops and over the pole.

3. Feed the end of the rope underneath the lengthwise loop that you just created.

4. Pull tight.

Bowline Knot

The bowline knot is another knot that evolved from the days of sailing warships. Today, it's used almost exclusively on boats and ships. The bowline knot is a simple and secure way to make a solid and non-sliding loop on the end of a rope. At first glance, the bowline knot looks like a slipknot. But unlike a slipknot, the bowline knot loop won't close under load. It's also easy to tie and untie, which makes it superior to other loop-making knots.

How to Tie a Bowline Knot

1. Form a small loop a few inches from the end of the rope, but leave the end straight.

2. Feed the end of the rope through the small loop and underneath the line further down.

3. Feed the end of the rope back over the line and through the original loop from the other direction.

4. Pull tight.

Midshipman's Hitch

The midshipman's hitch is one of the more complex sailing knots on our list. This knot creates an adjustable loop that resists load. Essentially, it's a slip knot with a friction knot. This knot is adjustable while under load, which makes it useful for increasing or decreasing tension. It can be used on cleats, poles, rings, and virtually anything else.