Usage: The Bowline is used to make a fixed loop in the end of a line. It is commonly used in sailing small craft, for example to fasten a halyard to the head of a sail or to tie a jib sheet to a clew of a jib. The Bowline is well known as a rescue knot for such purposes as rescuing people who might have fallen down a hole, or off a cliff onto a ledge. They would put it around themselves and sit on the loop. This makes it easy to heft them up away from danger. The Federal Aviation Administration recommends the Bowline knot for tying down light aircraft.

Also known as:

• Boling Knot
• Standing Bowline

Related:

• Sheet Bend
• Bowline on a Bight
• Double Bowline
• Running Bowline

ABOK: 1010

Classification: Loop

Structure: The structure of the Bowline is identical to that of the Sheet Bend, except the Bowline forms a loop in one rope and the Sheet Bend joins two ropes.

Strength/Reliability: Although generally considered a reliable knot, the Bowline’s deficiencies are a tendency to work loose when not under load and the bight portion of the knot to capsize in certain circumstances. To address these shortcomings, a number of more secure variations of the Bowline, such as the Double Bowline, have been developed for use in safety-critical applications. A rope with a Bowline retains approximately 65% of its strength at the location of the knot, although in practice the exact strength depends on a variety of factors.