Matt O'Toole wrote:
On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:08:04 +0000, Gary wrote:


Climbers use a double figure eight with a long tail. Anyone going up
the mast should as well. The bowline is the wrong knot.


The difference is there's enough tension on a jib sheet to keep a bowline
tight. A climber's safety line is slack most of the time, so a bowline
can shake loose. This is why climbers use figure eights. They're also
easier to untie. After catching a fall, a bowline could be too difficult
for a climber to untie as well.

The problem with a double figure eight is the weight and bulk. It catches
on shrouds, and can be as bad as a metal shackle when flogging around. I
know because I've tried it.

If you have to use a knot to tie your jibsheets on, a bowline is the way
to go, unless your cringle is small enough for a stopper knot to work.
Even then, a bowline is probably better, except in rare cases.

Matt O.
I wasn't trying to convince anyone to use figure eights on sheets but to
use them when going up the mast.

I am firmly in the bowline camp on sheets.

Gary