I always had the same problem with that knot, so I assume it was a prank,
like telling new boy scouts to go find a smoke shifter.

ARe you learning to whip rope ends using that waxed twine? You can amaze
your friends....

"Gary Warner" wrote in message
...

Ok, so now that the restoration is done and we're actually
boating I figured I'd work on my knots, hitches, bends, etc.

Actually, for our little 22 footer with all the proper lines
already on-board I won't need many knots. I've learned
a couple of hiches for fenders and bends to join ropes
together and the bowline and bowline on a bight for loops.

Anyway, the Sheepshank has me puzzled. I'll probably
almost never need to shorten a rope, so it doen's
matter, but it's bothering me anyway.

I keep trying it using different books and web sites
for instructions and pictures. But it never seems to
hold. Sometimes when I pull on the two ends
it does hold for a while, but any slack in the line
and the next time I pull the knot just comes
apart.

So, it the Sheepshank just this overrated thing or
and I doing it wrong or what?



Hooper:
Well I'm not talkin' about hooking some poor dogfish or sandshark. I'm
talking about finding a Great White!
Quint:
Porkers! Talkin' about porkers! Mr. Hooper. Just tie me a sheep shank.
Hooper:
I haven't had to pass basic seamanship in a long time. You didn't say
how
short you wanted it. How's that?!