Sailing the Northwest

photo by: David J. Fred

The bowline is a simple knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope, and is one of the more essential knots you need to learn. Since the loop does not move once completed, you can use it to pass over a post, cleat or other object. You can also first pass the line through a ring or other object prior to tying the bowline knot.

When teaching the knot, I would always use the common mnemonic associated with the bowline knot. If you imagine the end of the line as a rabbit and the point where the knot will begin as the trunk, the mnemonic guide goes as such:

1. Create a “rabbit hole” - a small loop at the point where you want the larger loop to begin/end on the line.
2. The “rabbit” then comes up out of the hole, around and under the tree, and then back into the hole.
3. Tighten the bowline knot

The bowline is a very strong knot under load and, unlike many other knots, is very easy to untie even after it has been loaded.  The one disadvantage with the bowline knot is that with certain types of line (non-pliable or rough line) or under certain load conditions (especially when it is shaken over a period of time), it may loosen up and become untied.