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From: Pete Cresswell <">
subject: [Paddlewise] A knot that is adjustable, but holds under tension?
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 21:33:44 -0400
Right now, I'm using a trucker's hitch.

Seems to me like I've seen something that holds under tension, yet can be slid
more open or closed when the line is slack...sort of a hangman's knot-looking
thing.   My Mariner Express' deck rigging had something like that.

I'd look it up, but need a name to search on.

Anybody got a name?
-----------------------
Pete Cresswell
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From: Daniel Key <dtheman_at_u.washington.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A knot that is adjustable, but holds under tension?
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 19:31:17 -0700
That would be a taught-line hitch or rolling hitch.  It works well for
tarps and tent flys, but I prefer the trucker's hitch for the boats or
anything that really has to stay put.

Daniel

>Seems to me like I've seen something that holds under tension, yet can be
slid
>more open or closed when the line is slack...sort of a hangman's knot-looking
>thing.   My Mariner Express' deck rigging had something like that.
>
>I'd look it up, but need a name to search on.

>Anybody got a name?

************************
Daniel Key	UW ACMS
dtheman_at_u.washington.edu
************************
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From: Kenneth Bennight <bennight_at_stic.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A knot that is adjustable, but holds under tension?
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 21:22:08 -0500
A knot that will perform as described is the taut line hitch.

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From: Fred T, CA Kayaker <cakayak_at_mindspring.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A knot that is adjustable, but holds under tension?
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 19:33:00 -0700
Depending on how it is set up, a Prussik Knot will hold under pressure and 
is adjustable when the pressure is off.  I use this on my Painter with the 
extra line chain linked.  Very easy to open the chain and then get to the 
full length of line.
]

Fred

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From: Richard Culpeper <culpeper_at_tbaytel.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A knot that is adjustable, but holds under tension?
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 23:57:44 -0400
>  holds under tension, yet can be slid
> more open or closed when the line is slack...sort of a hangman's knot-looking
> thing

for the mother of all knot lists:
http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/knotlink.htm

try searching on "prusik" or "prussik"
here is a page illustrating couple of variations:
http://www.climbing.ie/knots.html


in general a multiple fisherman knot is the basis of a prusik.
try making a fisherman knot, then try making a double fisherman knot, then a
triple, a quadruple, and so on.
when you do a variation of a fisherman knot with multiple wraps around, you'll
have something which can hold under tension but be slid when slack
a good animation of a double fisherman knot is at
http://www.une.edu.au/~unemc/dbfish.htm

Cheers,
Richard Culpeper

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From: <gpwecho_at_juno.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A knot that is adjustable, but holds under tension?
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:10:23 -0500
On Mon, 16 Oct 2000 21:33:44 -0400 "(Pete Cresswell)" <hc_at_FatBelly.com>
writes:
> Right now, I'm using a trucker's hitch.
> 
> Seems to me like I've seen something that holds under tension, yet 
> can be slid
> more open or closed when the line is slack...sort of a hangman's 
> knot-looking
> thing.   My Mariner Express' deck rigging had something like that.
> 
> I'd look it up, but need a name to search on.
> 
> Anybody got a name?
> -----------------------
> Pete Cresswell


Pete...
Truckers Hitch is probably best for leverage.  It can crank.  It adjusts
very easily within range of the bitter-end loop, but beyond that a retie
is needed.  I like the knot.  
Other easily adjusted knots I use are Midshipman's Hitch or Tautline
Hitch (take a third turn for more holding grip) or a lesser known,
Sliding Sheet Bend.
...adieu  ...Peyton (Louisiana)    
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From: Joe Pylka <pylka_at_castle.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A knot that is adjustable, but holds under tension?
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:42:14 -0400
>Truckers Hitch is probably best for leverage.  It can crank.  It adjusts
>very easily within range of the bitter-end loop, but beyond that a retie
>is needed.  I like the knot.


    For a Trucker's Hitch I prefer to use either a butterfly knot or a bight
tied with a figure-eight knot configuration.  Both tie easily, do not put
undue stress on the rope, and don't jam -- so they are very easy to Untie.



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From: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] A knot that is adjustable, but holds under tension?
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 16:24:09 -0700
(Pete Cresswell)" <hc_at_FatBelly.com> wrote:

>>>>Right now, I'm using a trucker's hitch.

Seems to me like I've seen something that holds under tension, yet can be
slid
more open or closed when the line is slack...sort of a hangman's
knot-looking
thing.   My Mariner Express' deck rigging had something like that.

I'd look it up, but need a name to search on.

Anybody got a name?<<<<


There are several "hitches" with this characteristic. I think the best is
the "Midshipman's hitch".
You can find it in "Ashley's Book of Knots" or directions for it are on our
website in the manuals section under "Owners" (in the last half of a long
file).
I'd send the drawing too but I don't think we can do that on paddlewise so
here is what the text says:
The other knot is a type of taut-line hitch known as the Midshipman's Hitch.
This knot can be slid by hand to shorten or lengthen the line as needed. You
will soon want to slide the knot back to compensate for the shrinking of the
nylon line once it gets wet. You should never have to untie or retie this
knot in normal use. However, the Midshipman's Hitch is such a good knot
we'll try to teach you to tie it anyway. We use it in tying kayaks to car
racks and bumpers since it can easily be lengthened or shortened to take up
slack yet holds firmly under a heavy load. One of our customers (who we
watched tie it before we showed him how -- a unique occurrence) explained
that it was the only knot that the Navy Air Corps allowed for tying cargo
down on airplanes. Quite a testimonial.


Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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