Bowline

The bowline is used to form a non-slip loop at the end of a rope. It is easy to tie and untie; and it is easy to untie after being under a load.

The bowline looks similarity with the sheet bend.

Application

The bowline is used to make a loop at one end of a line. It is tied with the rope's working end The loop may pass around or through an object during the making of the knot. The knot tightens when loaded at (pulled by) the standing part of the line.

It is used to

• to fasten a halyard to the head of a sail or to tie a jib sheet to a clew of a jib.
• The bowline is well known as a rescue knot for such purposes as rescuing people who might have fallen down a hole, or off a cliff onto a ledge.

A rope with a bowline retains approximately 2/3 of its strength, with variances depending upon the nature of the rope - but in practice the exact strength depends on a variety of factors.

Tying

• 

  The rabbit hole.

• 

  Out comes the rabbit,

• 

  runs around the tree,

• 

  and hops back into its hole.

See Also

• Sheet bend
• Water bowline
• Basic Knots
• Running bowline