Everything Else

How To: Tie a Prusik Hitch knot

Learn how to tie a Prusik Knot - sometimes misspeled "Prussik" - A bi-directional gripping knot that strongly resists sliding when the pull is parallel to the object to which it is tied. It can be used as an aid to ascend or climb another rope. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

How To: Tie a Klemheist Hitch knot

Learn how to tie a Klemheist Hitch - This is a gripping knot made using a loop of small diameter rope applied to the main line or object. It greatly resists slipping when the pull is parallel to the main line. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, general outdoors and even bondage.

How To: Tie an Icicle Hitch knot

Learn how to tie an Icicle Hitch - A superb gripping knot that strongly resists slipping, stainless steel or other smooth surfaces, when the pull is parallel to the object to which it is tied. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, general outdoors and even bondage.

How To: Stopper Knot

Learn how to tie a Stopper Knot - A quick way to form a stopper at the end of a line to prevent it from pulling through a block or other object. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, rock climbing, general outdoors and even bondage.

How To: Tie a Rolling Hitch knot

Learn how to tie a Rolling Hitch - a useful knot for attaching a rope to a railing, post, or another rope where the pull is along the length of the fixed object. It isn't as good at resisting slipping as an Icicle Hitch, but it is a good deal quicker to tie. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, general outdoors and even bondage.

How To: Tie an Anchor Hitch / Bucket Hitch knot

Learn how to tie an Anchor Hitch (also known as a Bucket Hitch) - A very secure means of attaching a rope to an anchor or any other object that you can't afford to loose (like a bucket down a well, I suppose - thus the alternate name). I actually do use this hitch for temporary anchor attachment (preferring to permanently splice instead) as well as for my bucket lanyards when washing down my boat's deck.

How To: Tie a Blood Knot

Learn how to tie a Blood Knot - Used in sailing as a somewhat decorative stopper knot or on the business end of a Cat 'O Nine Tails (hence the Blood Knot's name). This knot can be used in sailing, boating, general use, camping and bondage.

How To: Tie an Icicle Hitch Variant knot

Learn how to tie a variation on an Icicle Hitch - This version can easily be tied in the middle portion of the fixed object with no need to pass a bight over the end. The Icicle Hitch is a knot with far greater holding power than a Rolling Hitch, used to secure a rope to a railing, pole, or another rope where the direction of pull is along the length of the fixed object. This knot greatly resists sliding and slipping. This knot can be used in sailing, boating, general use, camping and bondage.

How To: Tie a Draw Hitch or Thief Hitch

Learn how to tie a Draw or Thief Hitch - a means of securing a rope with two standing ends - one end is load bearing, and the other can be pulled to release the knot. I used this knot extensively for raising the mast on my first trailor-sailor - Tie this above the spreaders, stand the mast up, then pull on the release line to untie it without having to climb aloft. This knot can be used in sailing, boating, general use, camping and bondage.

How To: Tie the Handcuff knot

Learn how to tie a Handcuff Knot. This is a handy knot for those times when an emergency set of handcuffs are needed :) Firefighters also use this knot, coupled with a half hitch over each loop, as a man harness. This knot can be used in sailing, boating, general use, camping and bondage.

How To: Tie a Jury Knot

This will show you how to tie a Jury Knot. Used at the mast head to "jury rig" a sailboat. The mast goes into the center of the knot, stays are run from the three loops and the two standing ends are run to the deck as a back stay. As tension is applies to the stays, the knot grips the mast tighter and tighter. This knot can be used in sailing, boating, general use, camping and bondage.

How To: Tie a Thief Knot

This video shows you how to tie a Thief Knot. This knot looks a Reef Knot to the casual observer and so can be used to determine if a thief is tampering with your belongings bag - secure it with a Thief Knot, and if you find it re-tied with a Reef Knot, you know someone has been messing with your stuff. This is used in sailing, boating, general use, camping and bondage.

How To: Tie square lashing knots with animated knot tying help

Learn how to tie a knot, but not just any old knot... a square lashing knot. You'll never have any troubles again tying nautical square lashing knots, thanks to this Marinews knot tie animated tutorial. You can learn by simply watching the knot tying animation at a moderate speed, or if need be, click on "learn by steps" to get step-by-step rope knot instructions for square lashing knots. How to make a knot is not the hard part, choosing the right fishing knots or rope knot is.

How To: Tie a cleat hitch

Need help with your knots? Ann and Matt from BoatUS teach new boaters how to tie a cleat hitch at the dock. Know your knots and practice tying a cleat hitch knot by watching this instructional knot tying video. Improve your skills and tie knots like a pro.

How To: Tie a figure eight knot

Ann and Matt of BoatUS teach boaters how to tie a figure eight or stopper knot. This is a very valuable knot for sailors to know. So check out this instructional knot tying video to improve your knot tying skills by learning how to tie a figure eight knot.

How To: Remove old boat lettering from your boat

It's easy to remove the old lettering from your boat before applying your new boat graphics. Check out this instructional boating video to learn how to do just that. Heat them with a hair dryer and slowly peel them off. When you have all of them removed, scrape off any remaining glue residue and clean the surface thoroughly using ordinary glass cleaner. Your new boat lettering is ready to be applied.

How To: Tie a Bowline Knot for boaters

The boaters at BoatUS know that the bowline knot can be one of the hardest knots for new boat owners to learn. In this instructional knot tying video, Matt and Ann demonstrate how to tie a bowline and talk about its common uses. Know your knots and learn how to tie a bowline knot with this boating tutorial video.