A sailor’s worst nightmare is forgetting which knot to use or how to make it when the pressure’s on. I’ve seen people hesitate to buy this DVD because they think they know how to tie a bowline. But can you honestly say you can do it in the dark with your hands behind your back? I shot this DVD aboard my gaff cutter where there is what feels like a mile of rope. I take a look at all the everyday knots in the modern seaman’s folio and throw in one or two rarer birds to add to the fun. There are also chapters about coiling and stowing. I even shanghai my old pal, Peter Martin, the great rigger, to walk us through the essentials of splicing. Rope is lovely stuff. Properly managed, it reflects on the sort of seaman you are.

Contents

• Everything today’s sailor needs to know about rope
• State of the art and traditional techniques
• Bowlines, sheet bends and Stopper knots
• Turns and hitches
• Splices unveiled by expert rigger Peter Martin
• Coiling and Stowing
• Securing to posts and winch barrels
• Docklines and how to secure them
• Whipping
• Light lines and hefty rope
• The use and abuse of jammers

Running time 95 minutes