Knot of the Week: The Bowline – The King of Knots
If there is one knot every sailor should know, it is the bowline. It is often called “the king of knots”, and for good reason. Once tied, it forms a strong fixed loop that will not slip or tighten under load, yet it can still be untied easily afterwards — even after taking a heavy strain.
That makes the bowline incredibly useful on a sailing boat. Whether you are attaching a rope to a ring, forming a loop around a post, or securing a line quickly, the bowline is reliable, simple, and trusted by sailors for centuries.
When learning to sail at the Upper Thames Sailing Club, this is one of the knots that quickly becomes second nature. In fact, after tying it a few dozen times while rigging boats or securing lines, your hands almost begin to tie it automatically.
How to Tie a Bowline
Sailors traditionally remember the steps using a little story:
“The rabbit comes out of the hole, runs around the tree, and goes back down the hole.”
Make a small loop in the rope (this is the “rabbit hole”).
The result is a secure loop that will not tighten when the rope is pulled.
Why Sailors Love the Bowline
The bowline has several properties that make it ideal for sailing:
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Creates a fixed loop that does not slip
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Strong and reliable under load
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Easy to untie after being heavily loaded
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Quick to tie once practiced
These qualities explain why the bowline appears everywhere in sailing — from dinghies to tall ships.
Common Uses on a Sailing Boat
You will often see a bowline used to:
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Tie a mooring line to a ring or post
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Attach a sheet to a sail
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Create a temporary loop in a rope
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Secure a boat to a pontoon or jetty
On small dinghies, it is often used when attaching ropes that need a permanent loop.
A Tip From the River Thames
When sailing on a river such as the Thames, things often need to happen quickly — especially when approaching a jetty or mooring in a current. Having a bowline already tied in the end of a rope makes it very easy to drop the loop over a post or cleat in seconds.
It is one of those small sailing skills that quietly makes life on the water much easier.
Final Thought
Many sailors say:
“If you don’t know how to tie a knot, tie a lot.”
And the bowline is a perfect place to start.
Tie it a few dozen times while watching television, and before long it will become second nature — just like it does for sailors everywhere.
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