The Bowline is a knot that creates a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It is one of the most well-known and important knots used in boating and sailing and is often called the King of Knots due to its versatility, strength, and stability. It’s easy to learn, quick, and easy to untie after great stress. In fact, the ability to untie the knot after high stress and harsh conditions is what makes it a fantastic knot for rigging.
History: The Bowline was used on tall ships during the “Age of Sailing” to attach a square sail to the yardarm. Another spelling for Bowline is “Bow Line” because it may have been used to hold the windward side of the sail, facing the bow. The Bowline was first mentioned in 1627 by John Smith in In the sailor’s grammar under the name “Boling Knot”. The Bowline may have existed much longer than the Age of Sailing and even existed in ancient Egypt. A knot similar to the Bowline was found when Egyptian ships were excavated and rigging examined.
How to make a bowline: The method of making a bowline is easy to remember using the mnemonic “A rabbit comes out of the hole, goes around the tree, and goes back into the hole.”
1- Create a cove in the line leaving a generous amount for the working end.
2- Take the end through the loop created by the cove.
3- Behind and around the foot part of the line.
4- Then go back through the loop
5- Tighten the knot by pulling the end, the foot part and the loop
Applications: The Bowline is a versatile knot and can be used for a number of tasks including:
1- Placement of a jib sheet in the ball. (This is where you will normally find a pole on a sailboat.)
2- Like the knot at the end of a halyard to hoist an object or sail as needed.
3- Creatively as a slip knot; since the loop at the end of the line is fixed.
4- As a curve to join two lines with each line using a pole at the end. 5- To create a loop at the end of a mooring line.
Bowline variations: The Bowline has a number of variations that work well in different settings, but keep the original Bowline structure. A variation is the Running Bowline, which is basically a slip knot created by passing the foot part of the rope through the fixed bow of the Bowline. The result is a slipknot that can be used to retrieve items when they fall overboard, hold them tightly together, or used in running tackle. A second variation is a Bowline on Bight, which creates two fixed loops at the end of the string. The two knots can be separated and used to lift people out of the water by placing one leg in each loop.
If you only want to learn a few knots, then the Bowline is a must make on your short list. Its versatility, reliability and the fact that it is easy to do (and untie) shows why it has earned the title of “King of the knots”.