[Towertalk] Knots

[bjk@ihug.co.nz (Barry Kirkwood)]

By all means use bowlines on lanyards etc for tower work. I often do =
myself.
But I humbly suggest you tape the tail to the standing part.
Extra half hitches may not be adequate to stop a bowline untying itself =
if it is flopping about on the end of a lanyard made from stiff =
synthetic line.
The issues are not simply about the strength of the knot but include the =
type of line, the ability to tie the knot without making errors under =
pressure, the likelihood of the knot untying itself with no load, and =
the ability to untie the knot once it has been loaded.
The move to figure 8s (with a variety of tail securing techniques) by =
sport climbers was made for good reasons.
Beware of the Boy Scout manuals. Much of the ancient lore relates to =
hemp ropes and the like which have very different characteristics to =
modern synthetic cordage.
FWIW  I have over 60 years coastal and blue water sailing experience.
73
Barry ZL1DD


end
Barry Kirkwood PhD ZL1DD
Signal Hill Homestay
66 Cory Road
Palm Beach
Waiheke Island 1240
NEW ZEALAND
ph/fax 64-9-372-5161
www.waiheke.co.nz/signal.htm

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