How to Tie a Bowline Knot for Boating

The bowline is a useful knot for boaters and just about everyone else. The bowline is easy to tie and untie. Tied properly, this knot will not slip. Boaters can make a loop using the bowline that will fit over a piling when they moor their boat. At first glance, tying a bowline may seem complicated, but study the illustrations and you will find that this knot can be tied quickly and easily.

Things You'll Need

• Rope

Instructions

1. 

   Grab the standing line of the rope in one hand and the tag end in the other hand. Make a loop about 8 inches in diameter and tie an overhand knot where the tag end meets the standing line. Pull the tag end to form a loop with the tag end running through. See Illustration 1.

2. 

   Run the tag end under the standing line and up through the loop that was formed in the previous step. Pay attention to Illustration 2.

3. 

   Pull on the tag end and the standing line to tighten. Loosen the bowline knot by pushing the tag end back through the loop. See Illustration 3.