What is this knot and how to undo it?

[jbinbi]

See pic, this attaches line to block that connects to dinghy and used to raise and lower thru the davits. About 2' above it, line is frayed but the line is very long, so I can cut it at the the frayed part and re use.

The problem is, a) I can't undo the knot (which I guess I can saw thru), but b)need to know what it is so I can retie after I saw it off.

[nigel1]

Looks like a Halyard Hitch.

Halyard Hitch | How to tie a Halyard Hitch | Knots

[nigel1]

Forgot to say, once this hitch has been loaded up, it can be really difficult to undo.
I usually use a knife.

[jbinbi]

Nigel, many thanks. that is what it looks like. Will cut it off.

[Bill Seal]

Way back in USCG boot camp marlinspike seamanship class, these types were known as a Hatchet Hitch.

[roverhi]

If you haven't already cut off the knot, have you tried prying the coiled sections apart with a marlin spike?? With a bit of patient and marlin spike and/or scratch all have gotten most knots undone. Not easy to do but patient and a lot of prying usually works in the end.

[SecondBase]

Originally Posted by roverhi

If you haven't already cut off the knot, have you tried prying the coiled sections apart with a marlin spike?? With a bit of patient and marlin spike and/or scratch all have gotten most knots undone. Not easy to do but patient and a lot of prying usually works in the end.

Right. Most wrapping knots can be loosened by working them a bit.

- Unload it

- Inducing twist can make the line "stronger" and more willing to push back underneath a wrap

- Wetting it helps sometimes

[JPA Cate]

Fwiw, it is not necessary to use the same know. We used to do ours with bowline knots, now use sewn splices.

Ann

[lesterbutch]

If you unload that knot and pry it open with a small spike you can untie it. It's just a loop doubled back and through.

[seabreez]

Originally Posted by jbinbi

See pic, this attaches line to block that connects to dinghy and used to raise and lower thru the davits. About 2' above it, line is frayed but the line is very long, so I can cut it at the the frayed part and re use.

The problem is, a) I can't undo the knot (which I guess I can saw thru), but b)need to know what it is so I can retie after I saw it off.

Hard to see but it looks like a Gee Haaaaw Twist... not known to sailors....

[michaelratinter]

DogDickOnABight. JK! It is, as said above, an Halyard Hitch. The advantage is that it can be drawn up closer to the block than a bowline. You already know the disadvantage. Plus 1 on the marline spike.

[lesterbutch]

Cutting is always an option,but I would try untying it even if it takes consideable effort.
I don't know about you but I either melt my line ends, (nylon) or whip them to prevent
Them from un-laying. I hate frayed line ends lying around.

[wannacat]

Cut it off and use a "Buntline" hitch. It will snug up nice, is very secure and you'll be able to undo it down the road [waterway] if required. I use it a lot tying both my painter to the dingy and also the anchor line to it.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by jbinbi

See pic, this attaches line to block that connects to dinghy and used to raise and lower thru the davits. About 2' above it, line is frayed but the line is very long, so I can cut it at the the frayed part and re use.

The problem is, a) I can't undo the knot (which I guess I can saw thru), but b)need to know what it is so I can retie after I saw it off.

Seems like he can't reuse the knot anyway? So perhaps the effort to untie it may be better used to learn more knots?

[roverhi]

Originally Posted by wannacat

Cut it off and use a "Buntline" hitch. It will snug up nice, is very secure and you'll be able to undo it down the road [waterway] if required. I use it a lot tying both my painter to the dingy and also the anchor line to it.

FWIW I tie the halyards on all my sails. Don't like halyard shackles clonking me on the head. Used to use a Bowline but switched to a buntline hitch to decrease the distance taken up by the knot. Used the BH on a 15 day passage arrie to Hawaii and no issue getting the knot untied after arrival. Not as easy to undo as a bowline but no big thing