[Towertalk] Knots

[Major Ron]

A bowline is actually one of the best and safest knots to use. IF you are
using nylon rope a half-hitch above the bowline is an added insurance
against slippage.

Ron, KA9ALC

----- Original Message -----
From: <kb9cry@attbi.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: December 20, 2002 13:42
Subject: [Towertalk] Knots


> I concur with Jon, having 20 years of yacht racing under my belt; racing
the
> same circuit as Jon does.  A bowline is actually very easy to tie; with
> practice one can even do it single handed (helps when you're in the
foredeck
> position) and one can break (untie) it easily when it is wet.  These knots
are
> under extremely high loads, a lot more than the average ham can induce,
and I
> too have never seen a bowline knot fail.  Its the only knot I use for
hoisting
> or on loaded lines.  I am not a rock climber but will admit those folks
need a
> strong knot also.  Phil  KB9CRY
> > on 12/19/02 3:22 PM, Rudy Marcelletti, K8SWD at rudym@net-link.net
wrote:
> >
> > > Some one wrote they use bowline knots to attach their hooks with.  The
better
> > > not is a figure 8 with a safety overhand.  Then tape the overhand
tail.  The
> > > figure 8 is stronger and easier to untie after it has been loaded.
> >
> > I am really skeptical of this statement.  I have done a great deal
amount of
> > sailboat racing on yachts up to 50 feet over the last 10 years.  I've
been
> > on three Chicago-Mackinac and one Port Huron-Mackinanc.  Lines are
ALWAYS
> > tied with bowlines when attaching a line to a sail.  I have never seen a
> > figure 8 used in a high stress situation.
> >
> > The amount of pressure put on a jib sail for a 40 foot racing sloop in a
20
> > to 30 mph wind is absolutely incredible.  I don't know the exact number,
but
> > it's in the tons.
> >
> > I have seen a number of failures of halyards (line that holds up the
sail)
> > and sheets (sail controlling lines), but I have yet to see a properly
tied
> > bowline fail.    I know of boats where winches ripped out of the
fiberglass
> > decking during storms, but the bowlines that they were using didn't
fail.
> >
> > From my experience, I'll trust a bowline any day.  A properly tied
bowline
> > is an incredibly strong knot.  The problem is probably that if not
properly
> > tied, you can run into problems.  This is likely where it has gotten its
bad
> > wrap.  A figure 8 is easier to tie, yes.  But once you learn how to tie
a
> > bowline, its very simple.  It just takes a while to learn.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Jon
> > NA9D
> >
> > -------------------------------------
> > Jon Ogden
> > NA9D (ex: KE9NA)
> >
> > Citizen of the People's Democratic Republik of Illinois
> >
> > Life Member: ARRL, NRA
> > Member:  AMSAT, DXCC
> >
> > http://www.qsl.net/na9d
> >
> > "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
> > See http://www.mscomputer.com
> >
> > Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
> > 888-333-9041 for additional information.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Towertalk mailing list
> > Towertalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> _______________________________________________
> AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
> See http://www.mscomputer.com
>
> Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
> 888-333-9041 for additional information.
> _______________________________________________
> Towertalk mailing list
> Towertalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk