Trashing the bowline really goes against my basic Boy Scout instincts of being prepared. I like the bowline as a knot. My only problem is that for that knot tying merit badge about forty years ago, I learned to tie it with the big loop around my waist. That's really a problem when trying to tie a knot to a connector of some sort or a grommet. I have to really work to remember which hole the rabbit goes in!
Jim -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ralph E. Ahseln Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: Ralph's Hitch...(was...winch stuff) Hoo Hee, TF, At least I'm not being called an "Arrogant SOB" (using the words for the letters) .. I had that pleasure when I suggest this idea on another List......LOL Apparently ,,, saying bad words about the Bowline, to some folks, is worse than Passing Gas in Church. It tramples upon Fathers teaching their sons .. or .... The Boy Scout leader giving the Knot Tying merit badge.... :-) (The fellow who cursed me, said that) But here goes..my responses ..to your responses...... to my answers.... LOLOLOL 1. Not THAT easy.. especially on a pitching fore deck 2. Most folks can only tie the Bowline ..with the Standing Part facing away from them. That means most often having your back to the sail and holding the loop and the CLEW Away from you. The Ralph is simply tied standing at the clew.. in ANY direction.. I DO know there are some of us who can tie the Bowline by pulling the Turn with the line .. and all that.. but it's not easy to learn.. ?? 3, Picture a Bowline Loop and knot running across a shroud...Loop drapes over the shroud... I am aware that Hard Core racers (ahhem.. :-) have figured out how to release the sheet so that it freely runs.. but most of We Day Sail Dudes, Us Cruisin' Cousins.... don't have those tricks yet.. 4... Brian Toss (Rigger's Apprentice, et al).. talks about how dangerous the Bowline is.(claims a lot of falls from masts are Bowline caused) and.... I've been told that Mountaineers and Rock Climbers get really upset if a Bowline is used. The Shaking Bowline Trick is fun to do in front of a lot of Salty Sailor types.. You'll enjoy the looks on their faces.. The Bowline has so many permutations that whole chapters are written about it.. I'm not against the Bowline... I just think there are BETTER knots for some particular uses... I also HATE the Clove Hitch used to tie Fenders or to mooring Bollards. Around here we call the Clove the "River Gods Joy".. because it gives them SO many fenders as they fall off rails and lifelines Another Simple knot, the Pedigreed Cow hitch .. is SOOOOOO much better. Just simply running the bitter end back into the loops ..(Picture on request) I hope everyone understands that I was only making a suggestion to some who may be having trouble with Shroud Hang Up. But if one insists on using the Bowline for Jib sheets.. I'd suggest they learn the Pulling Turn trick.. and also learn the LEFT handed Bowline.. (for Port and Starboard sheets).... LOLOLOL Whew,, Not only does my head hurt, but now my eyeballs are falling out... Mucho Respecto, Amigo.. ralph ----- Original Message ----- From: "tim ford" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 12:50 PM Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: Ralph's Hitch...(was...winch stuff) > ok, well, yeah, well, okay. I'll give it a try but > > 1) can do that easily too wit a bo-lyn > 2) not getting this...with a Magic Bowline, you can tie it standing on > your head and attach it anywhere in about 0.75 seconds > 3) same with the Magic Bowline > 4) I gotta try that!!! never had one open no where no howl. > > great stuff thanks Ralph. > > tf >
