1. Instructors: George Crowl
APP-6
Apprentice
Marlinspike
This PowerPoint is provided for those who may not have appropriate training aids available in a ship or location. This generally follows a companion lesson plan available at I expect you to modify it to fit your situation and teaching style. I am more concerned that Scouts learn than this fit a specific style. I am, however, a fan of the Effective Teaching model. Teaching EDGE is somewhat simplistic in its approach, but that has some advantages.
This and other plans are for Sea Scout and leaders to teach maritime and leadership skills. They are based on the 2010 Sea Scout Manual and requirements. Some lessons have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. I consider PowerPoint an introduction the topic, to be followed by hands-on practice. Several lessons will not have PowerPoint, usually because it is my judgement that PowerPoint is not an appropriate aid to teaching that lesson. Lesson plans and presentations will be added and modified when ready.
Each plan and presentation has the rank, requirement number and short name. LP means lesson plan, PPT means PowerPoint. APP means Apprentice, the number is the number of the requirement. ORD = Ordinary. ABL = Able. QM = Quartermaster. There are a few miscellaneous items as well.
I created these lesson plans primarily for the Houston area Sea Scout Academy. However, I hope that they are also useful for other Sea Scout situations and venues. So, I expect everyone using the lesson plans to modify them to fit their audience and their style. There are also other resources in the DVD with the Sea Scout Manual, and on
I invite comments from those that use these lesson plans, so we can have continuous improvement. If you are aware of a better example, or a great illustration that is not in them, please send them to me for inclusion. Especially, if I miss applying a change from the Sea Scout Manual, Guide to Safe Scouting, or a Coast Guard publication, please contact me so we can keep these current and accurate.
You may contact me at or
George Crowl; Skipper, Ship 1996; Sam Houston Area Council
Philosophy: Sea Scout Academy’s primary purpose is to teach the material to the Sea Scout. If the Sea Scout demonstrates mastery of parts of the subject, then the instructor should annotate on the class roster what has been passed, in the instructor’s opinion. Skippers have the right to re-examine any Sea Scout in any requirement. (Knots are not a good subject to give a pass in.)
Instructors: George Crowl

2. Course Outline
6. Using both large and small lines, tie and explain the use of the following knots: overhand, square, figure 8, bowline, two half hitches, clove hitch, sheet bend and cleat hitch
Requirements:
6. Marlinspike Seamanship
Using both large and small lines, tie and explain the use of the following knots: overhand, square, figure eight, bowline, two half hitches, clove hitch, sheet bend, and cleat hitch.
Reference: See "Knots" on pp
Equipment Required: Each student should be provided a “belly rope” ¼” by six feet long.
Several ½” to ¾” lines from a boat should be obtained. Some should be long enough to use as a heaving line.
A cleat is necessary. S24, S1996, S502 and Dan Wilson have cleats.
A knot board is desirable. S1996, Dan Wilson, S502 and S24 have those.
Recommend that you preview the knot portion of the SSM DVD and determine if it will help you. Note that the DVD is in error where it says the overhand knot is an Ordinary knot.
Ratio: 1:6 Instructor:Student, youth make good assistants.

3. Animated Knots
Is a good site to look up animated knots
is a good site to show a knot being tied. Right below “Home Page” on the left is “Find a Knot” which will take you to most knots you want to access.
There may be several varieties of a given knot at animatedknots.com. You may wish to investigate other URLs at the site. I have used some parts of their descriptions that I thought were appropriate, there are more at the site.

4. Overhand Knot Used as a stopper knot, but it is poor
Form a loop, slip the bitter end into the loop
Pull tight to form a stopper knot
Very hard to get out after pulled tight
Overhand knot: Make an overhand loop, pass the end under and up through the loop. A stopper knot for rope ends, but is much harder to get out than a figure eight. (p. 108)
The Overhand Knot was described by Ashley as "the simplest of the Single-Strand Stopper Knots." It can also be used to prevent the end of a piece of rope unraveling.
Comparison: The animation shows the close similarity between:
The Overhand Knot – tied in the end of a rope;
The Half Hitch – attaches a rope to something, e.g., a Hitching Post;
The Half Knot – a binding knot – first part of a Square (Reef) Knot.
Double Overhand: The first turn is often followed by a second - to create the larger stopper knot, the Double Overhand.
Recommendations: As a stopper the Overhand Knot has one advantage: it is one of the few stopper knots that can be tied tightly up against an object or a knot. Although the Double Overhand makes a good stopper "Knot", when an even larger stopper knot is required, the Ashley Stopper Knot is preferred.

5. Overhand Animation A

6. Square (Reef) Knot 1. Right over left 2. Bring it around
3. Left over right
4. Tuck it under
Tighten
Square knot: Right over left, left over right, symmetrical look. Used for reefing (called a reef knot by British), tying two ropes together. (p. 108)
Square Knot (Reef Knot) Tying. Take two ropes and cross them (red over blue) to form a half knot. Cross them a second time (red over blue again) and pull the ends tight to form the Square Knot.
Square Knot (Reef Knot) Details. First Knot: The Square (Reef) Knot (ABOK # 1402, p 258) is usually learned when we tie the laces on our first pair of shoes. Admittedly it is usually a bow that we tie - but the underlying knot is a Square (Reef) Knot. We also learn just how unsatisfactory the knot is. It slips, it comes undone, it jams, and it is all too easy to tie a Granny instead which behaves even less well.
Purpose: It is intended to be a binding knot and, tied in the right material against a curved surface, the first Half Knot may bind – but it cannot be trusted. That is why surgeons use an extra turn in the first Half Knot – to achieve the binding required while they prepare the second Half Knot.
Square Knot Capsizing. Caution: This picture demonstrates how even a "Stack" of Square Knots can capsize and pull undone. These photographs were created by pulling on the ends of the red rope. "There have probably been more lives lost as a result of using a Square Knot as a bend (to tie two ropes together) than from the failure of any other half dozen knots combined." (ABOK page 258). Never use it for critical loads.
Uses: Nevertheless, the Square (Reef) knot has many uses but not where safety is critical, e.g., you can tie a sail cover over a sail; you can tie the string on a gift; and you can tie the laces on your shoes (if they still come with laces). It is also one of the many knots used in macrame. More importantly, the experience of tying a Square Knot teaches the fundamental process of tying a Half Knot or Half Hitch.
Variations: The final Frames of the Animation show several variations: the Granny is shown because it is so commonly tied in error; the Double Throw Knot or Surgical Knot is very commonly used by Surgeons as the first part of a Ligature; and the Thief Knot is included for interest as the final frame, even though it is a useless knot. When the Square (Reef) Knot is used it is common to add additional Half Knots as security - a tribute to how unsatisfactory a knot it is. A better alternative may be to use two Surgeon's Half Knots, which make better binding knots for each stage and a secure final knot. When the second Half Surgeon's Knots is tied as a bow, it makes a Secure Shoelace Bow.
The Square (Reef) knot can also be tied using bights (loops). For example, to use up long shoelaces, the knot can be tied with loops from the start. This means the final "bow" cannot be untied by pulling the ends - but it makes a secure knot.

7. Square (Reef) Knot Uses
Not for critical connections
Connects two ropes
Ties packages with twine
First aid bandage knot
Used to reef sails
Pull sail down to boom
Tie reefing ties below boom
Square knot: Right over left, left over right, symmetrical look. Used for reefing (called a reef knot by British), tying two ropes together. (p. 108)
Square Knot (Reef Knot) Tying. Take two ropes and cross them (red over blue) to form a half knot. Cross them a second time (red over blue again) and pull the ends tight to form the Square Knot.
Square Knot (Reef Knot) Details. First Knot: The Square (Reef) Knot (ABOK # 1402, p 258) is usually learned when we tie the laces on our first pair of shoes. Admittedly it is usually a bow that we tie - but the underlying knot is a Square (Reef) Knot. We also learn just how unsatisfactory the knot is. It slips, it comes undone, it jams, and it is all too easy to tie a Granny instead which behaves even less well.
Purpose: It is intended to be a binding knot and, tied in the right material against a curved surface, the first Half Knot may bind – but it cannot be trusted. That is why surgeons use an extra turn in the first Half Knot – to achieve the binding required while they prepare the second Half Knot.
Square Knot Capsizing. Caution: This picture demonstrates how even a "Stack" of Square Knots can capsize and pull undone. These photographs were created by pulling on the ends of the red rope. "There have probably been more lives lost as a result of using a Square Knot as a bend (to tie two ropes together) than from the failure of any other half dozen knots combined." (ABOK page 258). Never use it for critical loads.
Uses: Nevertheless, the Square (Reef) knot has many uses but not where safety is critical, e.g., you can tie a sail cover over a sail; you can tie the string on a gift; and you can tie the laces on your shoes (if they still come with laces). It is also one of the many knots used in macrame. More importantly, the experience of tying a Square Knot teaches the fundamental process of tying a Half Knot or Half Hitch.
Variations: The final Frames of the Animation show several variations: the Granny is shown because it is so commonly tied in error; the Double Throw Knot or Surgical Knot is very commonly used by Surgeons as the first part of a Ligature; and the Thief Knot is included for interest as the final frame, even though it is a useless knot. When the Square (Reef) Knot is used it is common to add additional Half Knots as security - a tribute to how unsatisfactory a knot it is. A better alternative may be to use two Surgeon's Half Knots, which make better binding knots for each stage and a secure final knot. When the second Half Surgeon's Knots is tied as a bow, it makes a Secure Shoelace Bow.
The Square (Reef) knot can also be tied using bights (loops). For example, to use up long shoelaces, the knot can be tied with loops from the start. This means the final "bow" cannot be untied by pulling the ends - but it makes a secure knot.

8. Square Knot Animation
scouting& A

9. Figure 8 Knot Good stopper knot for sheets and halyards
1. Form a good sized bight
2. Cross the bitter end on top of the standing end
3. Tuck the bitter end under and back
4. Tuck the bitter end into the loop, tighten
Figure eight: Bend end up on itself, cross behind, bring it down into loop already formed. A stopper knot for sheet and halyard ends. (p. 108)
Figure 8 (Flemish) Knot Tying. Pass the tail over itself to form a loop. Continue under and around the standing end. Complete the knot by passing the tail down through the loop.
Figure 8 (Flemish) Knot Details. Uses: The Figure 8 provides a quick and convenient stopper knot to prevent a line sliding out of sight, e.g., up inside the mast. Its virtue is that, even after it has been jammed tightly against a block, it doesn't bind; it can be undone easily. This virtue is also, occasionally, a vice. The figure 8 can fall undone and then has to be retied.
Overhand Knot. Comparison: The Figure 8 should be compared to other common stopper knots. It is much better than the simple Overhand Knot which is smaller and can bind so tightly that it can be really difficult to undo. However, the Double Overhand Knot, the Stevedore, and the Ashley Stopper Knot, all make better Stopper knots because they are larger and more stable. For slippery ropes the EStar Stopper is the best.
Climbing: For climbing, where safety is paramount, the Double Overhand is the preferred Stopper knot. However, the Figure 8 is important to climbers because it is the basis for tying the Figure 8 Bend (Rope Join), the Figure 8 Loop Follow Through, and the Double Figure 8 Loop.

10. Figure 8 Animation A

11. Bowline Knot Form a small loop, must be on top of rope!
Bring bitter end up through small loop
Around standing part
Back down through loop
Tighten
Bowline: Rabbit up out of hole, around tree, back down in hole. Some people enjoy one-handed bowline. Makes a fixed loop. Main knot for jib sheets, rescue knots, etc. (p. 109). Issheet bend, tied differently.
Bowline Knot Tying. Form a small loop leaving enough rope for the desired loop size. Pass the end of the rope through the loop as though making an overhand knot. Continue around the standing end and then back through the small loop.
Bowline Knot Details. Uses: The Bowline makes a reasonably secure loop in the end of a piece of rope. It has many uses, e.g., to fasten a mooring line to a ring or a post. Under load, it does not slip or bind. With no load it can be untied easily. Two bowlines can be linked together to join two ropes. Its principal shortcoming is that it cannot be tied, or untied, when there is a load on the standing end. It should therefore be avoided when, for example, a mooring line may have to be released under load.
One Handed: The bowline can be tied with one hand - useful if injured, essential if you are using the other hand to hold on to the line or the boat!
Length of Tail End: An intermittent load, e.g., on a mooring line, may cause many knots to slip or loosen. The bowline is relatively tolerant of such stresses. Nevertheless some texts quote a rule of thumb which states that, for safety, the length of loose end should be 12 times the circumference. A half-inch diameter rope would require a tail more than eighteen inches long but this is rarely seen in practice.

12. Bowline Knot Uses Forms a fixed loop at the end of a rope
Easy to tie, easy to untie even after a heavy load
Is a good rescue knot
Attach to halyards/sheets to blocks/ shackles/ grommets
Used on anchors, bollards, cleats when needed
Bowline: Rabbit up out of hole, around tree, back down in hole. Some people enjoy one-handed bowline. Makes a fixed loop. Main knot for jib sheets, rescue knots, etc. (p. 109). Issheet bend, tied differently.
Bowline Knot Tying. Form a small loop leaving enough rope for the desired loop size. Pass the end of the rope through the loop as though making an overhand knot. Continue around the standing end and then back through the small loop.
Bowline Knot Details. Uses: The Bowline makes a reasonably secure loop in the end of a piece of rope. It has many uses, e.g., to fasten a mooring line to a ring or a post. Under load, it does not slip or bind. With no load it can be untied easily. Two bowlines can be linked together to join two ropes. Its principal shortcoming is that it cannot be tied, or untied, when there is a load on the standing end. It should therefore be avoided when, for example, a mooring line may have to be released under load.
One Handed: The bowline can be tied with one hand - useful if injured, essential if you are using the other hand to hold on to the line or the boat!
Length of Tail End: An intermittent load, e.g., on a mooring line, may cause many knots to slip or loosen. The bowline is relatively tolerant of such stresses. Nevertheless some texts quote a rule of thumb which states that, for safety, the length of loose end should be 12 times the circumference. A half-inch diameter rope would require a tail more than eighteen inches long but this is rarely seen in practice.

13. Bowline Animation A

14. Two Half Hitches Adjustable knot 1. Wrap over bar
2. Wrap around standing part, but longer tail
3. Continue same direction, second wrap, inside
4. Tighten
Two half hitches: Forms a movable loop. Wrap the end of the rope around the rope, bring the end to the inside of the loop, continue same direction, crossing over, tuck the end into the crossover. Two half hitches are just a clove hitch around a rope. (p. 111)
Half Hitch Tying. Form a loop around the object. Pass the end around the standing end and through the loop. Tighten into a Half Hitch which is designed to take a load (Arrow) on the standing end.
Half Hitch Details. Uses: Ashley described the Half Hitch as "tied with one end of a rope being passed around an object and secured to its own standing part with a Single Hitch."
Comparison: The animation shows the close similarity between:
The Overhand Knot – tied in the end of a rope;
The Half Hitch – attaches a rope to something, e.g., a Hitching Post;
The Half Knot – a binding knot – first part of a Square (Reef) Knot.
Tying it: As shown in the animation it can be capsized from looking like an overhand knot into the normal look of a Half Hitch. In this animation the second Half Hitch shows how it is customarily tied - wrapping it round the standing end and tucking it under itself.
Two Half Hitches: The first Half Hitch is nearly always followed by a second – or more. It is customary to pass the rope the same way around to make both Half Hitches. This creates a Clove Hitch around the standing end. When the second Half Hitch is reversed it creates a Cow Hitch round the standing end.
Recommendations: Although two Half Hitches do make a complete "Hitch", it is better to begin by first passing the rope around the post or bollard a second time to make the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches. This is more secure and provides easier control of the load while tying the Half Hitches.

15. Two Half Hitches Uses Used to tie a rope to a bar or post
Used to secure a cord to a tarp, a load to a pack, tie a dog to a tree, etc.
Slips, will tend to tighten up on the bar/post
Two half hitches: Forms a movable loop. Wrap the end of the rope around the rope, bring the end to the inside of the loop, continue same direction, crossing over, tuck the end into the crossover. Two half hitches are just a clove hitch around a rope. (p. 111)
Half Hitch Tying. Form a loop around the object. Pass the end around the standing end and through the loop. Tighten into a Half Hitch which is designed to take a load (Arrow) on the standing end.
Half Hitch Details. Uses: Ashley described the Half Hitch as "tied with one end of a rope being passed around an object and secured to its own standing part with a Single Hitch."
Comparison: The animation shows the close similarity between:
The Overhand Knot – tied in the end of a rope;
The Half Hitch – attaches a rope to something, e.g., a Hitching Post;
The Half Knot – a binding knot – first part of a Square (Reef) Knot.
Tying it: As shown in the animation it can be capsized from looking like an overhand knot into the normal look of a Half Hitch. In this animation the second Half Hitch shows how it is customarily tied - wrapping it round the standing end and tucking it under itself.
Two Half Hitches: The first Half Hitch is nearly always followed by a second – or more. It is customary to pass the rope the same way around to make both Half Hitches. This creates a Clove Hitch around the standing end. When the second Half Hitch is reversed it creates a Cow Hitch round the standing end.
Recommendations: Although two Half Hitches do make a complete "Hitch", it is better to begin by first passing the rope around the post or bollard a second time to make the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches. This is more secure and provides easier control of the load while tying the Half Hitches.

16. Two Half Hitches Animation A

17. Clove Hitch (1)
Pass the line over the bar, bring it around, and cross the standing part
Pass the line over the bar again, bring it up and under the crossing line
Pull tight with two parallel lines crossing the bar, and a single line slanting across the two
Clove hitch: Around the pole, end on the outside, cross over, tuck under the crossover. Some people like “throwing” a clove hitch, limited use on a rail. It will slip with wave action. (p. 111)
Clove Hitch tied with the End of the Rope Details
Alternatives: In addition to tying it by Threading the End, the Clove Hitch can also be tied Using Half Hitches and by Using Stacked Loops
Caution: The Clove Hitch was, originally, included here with the intention of condemning it. It does have two giant faults: it slips and, paradoxically, can also bind. It should be deeply distrusted when used by itself.
Uses: However, the Clove Hitch can be very useful:
Boat Fenders: When attaching a boat's fender to a railing, the fender's line can be initially secured with a clove hitch and then, when adjusted, secured with two Half Hitches round the standing end.
Dangers: As stated above, the Clove Hitch's problems are slipping and binding:
Alternatives: There are good alternatives available: Mooring: A Round Turn and Two Half Hitches; Rolling Hitch; Bowline; Cleat Hitch; Constrictor Knot
Paradox: When you tie this round turn and two Half Hitches, in the process you actually create a clove hitch round the standing end!

18. Clove Hitch 2 “On the End” is similar to 1
#2 – form a bight with the bitter end on top
Form a second bight, again with the bitter end on top
Slide the right bight over the left bight so they are one on top
Slide onto the pole A

19. Clove Hitch Uses Used to tie to a bar or bollard
Used to start several kinds of lashing
Often used to start or end a marline hitch
Can come loose if not under constant strain
Secret: Two half hitches is a clove hitch around a rope A

20. Clove Hitch Animation

21. Sheet Bend
Joins dissimilar size ropes. Will come loose if not under constant strain.
Form a bight in the larger line
Bring the smaller line through the bight
Take it around both parts of the bight
Come on top of the larger line, then under the smaller line, leaving a long tail
Sheet bend: Attaches two ropes of different (or same) size. Loop big rope, bring small rope up through loop, around behind two ropes, tuck through small rope without going through large one. This is actually a variation of the bowline, some will understand, don’t push the idea. (p. 113)
Sheet Bend Tying. Form a bight in the thicker rope (gold) and hold it in one hand. Pass the thinner rope (grey) through the bight and behind the (gold) tail and standing ends in that order. Finally, tuck the smaller rope under itself to finish the knot.
Sheet Bend (Weaver's Knot) Details. Uses: The Sheet Bend is recommended for joining two ropes of unequal size. The thicker rope must be used for the simple bight as shown. It works equally well if the ropes are of the same size.
Double Sheet Bend: When the ropes are markedly different in size, the tail of the smaller rope can be taken twice round the bight in the larger rope to create the double sheet bend.
Structure: When correctly tied the two tails lie on the same side of the knot. The alternative version - with the tails on opposite sides - is less reliable.

22. Sheet Bend Uses Best for joining dissimilar size ropes.
Joins same size ropes together well. Will not upset like a square knot.
Holds well under strain.
Will come loose if not under constant strain.
Is a variation of the bowline.
Sheet bend: Attaches two ropes of different (or same) size. Loop big rope, bring small rope up through loop, around behind two ropes, tuck through small rope without going through large one. This is actually a variation of the bowline, some will understand, don’t push the idea. (p. 113)
Sheet Bend Tying. Form a bight in the thicker rope (gold) and hold it in one hand. Pass the thinner rope (grey) through the bight and behind the (gold) tail and standing ends in that order. Finally, tuck the smaller rope under itself to finish the knot.
Sheet Bend (Weaver's Knot) Details. Uses: The Sheet Bend is recommended for joining two ropes of unequal size. The thicker rope must be used for the simple bight as shown. It works equally well if the ropes are of the same size.
Double Sheet Bend: When the ropes are markedly different in size, the tail of the smaller rope can be taken twice round the bight in the larger rope to create the double sheet bend.
Structure: When correctly tied the two tails lie on the same side of the knot. The alternative version - with the tails on opposite sides - is less reliable.

23. Sheet Bend Animation A

24. Cleat Hitch Use to attach a line to a cleat
Full turn around cleat to start
Cross over and around next horn
Cross over and twist around next horn to put line under itself
Remember – parallel ropes under cross rope
Just two loops. Do not add many loops!
Cleat hitch: Bring the line under the cleat end a full turn, over the saddle, under the other end, over the saddle the other direction, then twist the line to put the rope under the first cleat end with the rope end parallel to the first saddle crossing, and under the second saddle crossing. Do NOT put several saddle crossings on the cleat. Attaches a boat line to a cleat. (p. 112)
Cleat Hitch for a Halyard Tying
Pass the rope around the bottom horn and on around over the top. Continue down across the middle, and then up across again. Twist a loop in the rope and hook it on the cleat as a Half Hitch.
Uses: The Cleat Hitch secures a rope to a cleat. It is deceptively simple and an unwary skipper who invites visitors to secure a halyard may be astonished and dismayed by the unsatisfactory results. See also securing a rope to a Deck Cleat.
First Horn: A mooring rope reaches a deck cleat at an angle and must be led round the most distant horn of the cleat first. By contrast, a halyard usually falls roughly parallel to the cleat and, inevitably, goes around the lower horn first. The direction chosen is often arbitrary.
Mooring, Towing, and Cleating a sheet: always cross the center after the first two horns.

25. Cleat Hitch Animation A

26. Questions? R