Features July 2016 Issue

Spring Lines for Storm Preparedness

The often overlooked spring line proves its worth in storm simulation experiments.

A well-secured boat in the best-designed marina can�t be expected to survive a direct hit from a hurricane. Major boat-insurance companies recommend hauling out and tying down your boat, but that isn�t always an option, nor is it any guarantee.

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Inside Practical Sailor Blog

Testing Sailing Knots that Really Grip

May 24, 2017

In the current issue of Practical Sailor, we report on the performance of various commercial and homemade drag devices when used to steer a boat with a damaged rudder. This emergency tactic usually requires a towing bridle, and one of the easiest ways to create a bridle is to use a gripping hitch. A gripping hitch is the knot you would use to tie one line to another (or itself) when you don’t want the line to slip. Here's a look at some of the gripping hitches that we've tested for holding ability and ease of tying.

Spring Lines for Storm Preparedness

The often overlooked spring line proves its worth in storm simulation experiments.

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