This hitch is often better than a bowline
Issue 50 : Sept/Oct 2006
The most common knots on and about boats are the bowline and the reef knot (commonly known as the square knot). Beyond that, it seems that sailors don’t bother to add to their repertoire of knots. I understand that the many knots in The Ashley Book of Knots are too numerous to remember, but anyone on and about boats should know a fair number of knots. One of the more useful is really a forgotten knot: the buntline hitch. I have seen this knot in only one book other than Ashley’s. Yet it would better serve than a bowline in many cases.
This hitch was used on square-riggers, but it can be just as useful today. A great example of its use is for attaching the halyard of a small sailboat. On such a boat you need to secure the halyard while at the same time you need to get the sail as high up the mast as possible. The buntline hitch allows for this.
I use this knot on the outhaul, among other places, on my own boat. It is a great knot when you wish to attach your line to a shackle or snapshackle, if you aren’t going to splice the connection. While splicing is stronger, this knot is close. Another thing is that, while a splice may jam in a block, this knot won’t, allowing more efficient use of the line. (See photos for how to tie the knot.)
Having come from the days of the square-riggers, the buntline hitch is strong, easy to tie, and useful all over the boat. Learning to tie it is not difficult. Once you do, you’ll find yourself using it a lot. As with any knot, practice is the best way to learn. Repetition is the key. Practice until it’s second nature. You won’t regret it.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
