As part of any RYA sailing school course some essential knots will need be learnt by you in order to complete the course successfully.
Generally within the sailing world the essential knots that you should know would include the following;
Figure-of-eight knot – this is a stopper knot, used to stop the rope from running out of retaining device.
Round turn and two half hitches – used to secure the end of a rope to a fixed object.
Bowline – the most well know and essential of the sailing knots and used to form a fixed loop at the end of a line, which is both secure and easy to tie and untie.
Clove Hitch – essentially used to secure lines running along a series of posts, such as securing fenders.
Reef knot – used to join two ends together around an object. It does not hold well as a knot unless the two lines used are the same diameter.
Other ropework that would be beneficial to know would a sheet bend knot which joins two different widths of ropes together. Plus you would be expected to be able to secure lines around cleats and winches, neatly and securely.
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