Boating Knots: Zeppelin Bend

Have you ever been out on the water and needed a rope of a certain length of rope only to have 2 short lengths of rope in the boat. I know that I have been in this situation and have obviously needed to join the ropes to make the required distance. I am no rope knot expert, in fact I am known for tying fairly poor knots, but even I use this knot!

One of the best knots for this task is the Zeppelin Bend, which can be used to attach two lengths of rope with similar diameters. It is easy to tie and quick to learn - the following video shows the process of tying the Zeppelin Bend very well.

Cleat Hitch - Boating Knots (with video)

The Cleat Hitch is an essential knot for all boaters to learn. This knot is used to attach your boat to the dock and if you want the boat to stay in place (which is pretty important when you think about it!) the cleat hitch is the knot you will want to use. It is strong, easy to tie, and even more importantly, easy to untie for when you want to leave the dock. Most, if not all, boaters will use this knot and if you are new to the boating scene make sure you have a practice run or two before leaving the dock.

Many boaters also use the cleat hitch to attach the anchor rope to the cleat on the boat, but personally I feel that there are better knots for this situation.

The video gives a very good demonstration on this important boating knot and is quite easy to follow.



I am planning on adding more boating knots in the future and if you found this post useful or want to make a suggestion please leave a comment.

Boating Knots - Water Bowline Knot (with video)

If you have spent any time on the water you have undoubtedly experienced, or seen, engine trouble of some kind. I think that my old man and I have been towed in about 5 times and it never gets more enjoyable. However, most boaties are friendly people and it only takes a bit of a wave or a call over the radio for someone to come to your aid. This is where the water bowline knot comes into good use.

The water bowline knot is one of the best knots for towing a boat with another boat because it can take the jarring towing motions and not become lose. I recommend that every boat owner should know this knot before heading out on the water.

How to tie a water bowline knot - video

How to anchor a boat

Anchoring a boat is not quite as simple as chucking the anchor over the side of the boat and tying it off, but with some simple tips to remember it doesn't have to be a nightmare either.

1. Choose the correct type of anchor
It is very important to select the correct anchor for the conditions and bottom structure you plan on anchoring in. There are many types of anchors and each is used in different conditions.



Danforth anchor
Danforth anchors have a very good holding power in very soft mud, conditions. Not suitable for reef anchoring.

Grapnel (reef) anchor
This anchors are used for reef, rock and wreck bottoms. They are designed to hook onto the coral and rock. It is quite possible for this anchor to find such a good hook that it is impossible to retrieve.

Mushroom Anchor
Designed to bury in the soft bottom and provide very strong holding power. Not suitable for strong current or reef anchoring.

CQR / Plough Anchor
A solid all round anchor that is suitable for almost all bottom types, but should not replace a specific bottom anchor.

There are many other types of anchors available and you should research this area further before deciding on an anchor type.

2. Chain
A 1-2 meter length of chain should be attached to the anchor. This provides abrasion resistance and extra weight for holding power.

3. Secure the anchor
Make sure that anchor is tied to the boat you can see my earlier post for instructions on this here - how to attach a boat anchor

How to anchor a boat

• Determine the depth and type of bottom you are anchoring on.
• Put your bow into the wind or current (whichever is having the greatest affect on your boat), motor slowly to just beyond where you want your anchor to lie.
• Don't just throw the anchor, but gently release it and let the rope feed through your hands (gloves are recommended for this) until you feel the slack in the line.
• Once it hits the bottom let the rope out about 7 times the depth of the water (eg. if the water is 10 feet deep let out 70 feet of rope.).
• Tie the anchor off securely and slowly reverse the boat to help set the anchor in the bottom.
• Pick some landmarks and watch these carefully to ensure you are not drifting (most modern chartplotters have an alarm for this very event.)

REMEMBER
Never anchor a boat by the stern as it has caused many boats to capsize and sink.