Reef Knot

The reef knot is very easy to tie. Its just 2 overhand knots tied in the opposite way. If you tie both knots in the same way you end up with a granny knot that is good for absolutely nothing except not holding!

Tying a Reef Knot

The only use I have for a reef knot is for tying reefs in my sail. That's how it pays the rent on my boat. It's not reliable and tends to slip, so you can't depend on it to stay put. Its a pretty knot and its easy to take apart.

Because it's so easy to tie its tempting to use it, I have to remind myself to do it properly.

I have some pages about materials used in ropemaking also trade names of ropes. So far I have nylon and polypropylene

• The Anchor Bend Knot
• Bowline, The Must Know Knot
• Bowline on a bight, how to tie a bowline if you don't have the ends.
• Cleat Hitch Its surprising how many people can't tie this knot properly
• Constrictor Knots make it a point of being difficult to untie. Its their job!
• Highwayman's Hitch makes it a point of being easy to untie, good for a quick hitch at the dock or where you need to get it undone fast
• Reef Knots are used to reef sails, otherwise they are very unreliable.
• Rolling Hitch A useful knot that can be tied on another line to pull some slack so you can untie a knot or untangle a winch line.
• Sheet Bend joins 2 ropes together
• The Stopper Knot stops a knot from running out of a cleat. 2 styles
• Truckers Hitch helps tighten a rope around a canoe on a car or on a trailer.
• Farmer's Loop Similar to the Trucker's hitch, easy to tie.
• Round Turn and two half hitches a useful multipurpose knot
• The Fireman's coil keeps your coiled rope from getting tangled.
• Buntline Hitch, a very old knot that has found a new life with modern slippery rope

This web site reflects my personal ideas and doesn't represent anyone else's point of view.