Learning the ropes...

When is rope not a rope? When it’s on a boat! There are loads of ropes on board but each rope has a different name depending upon what it is used for. Some are more complicated than others but here are some of the most important ones to remember…

Halyards – Halyards are used for hoisting sails. The jib halyard hoists the jib and the main halyard hoists, yes you’ve guessed it, the main sail.

Sheets – The sheets control the sails. The mainsheet, as it name suggests controls the main sail and the jib sheets control the jib. The jib needs two sheets one on each side of the mast. Can you spot the foresail sheets in the picture?

Mooring Lines – Mooring lines (also called warps) are used to tie the boat to the pontoon using cleats. Make sure you find out where the cleats are on the pontoon so you can find them when asked to tie the boat to them and so you don’t trip over them!

Mooring lines

So let’s take a closer look at mooring lines... How do secure your mooring line to a cleat?

One way to secure your mooring line to a cleat is with an O X O!!!

1. Take your mooring line and make a turn around the base of the cleat (your first O)
    
2. Then make a figure of eight over the ends of the cleat (this is the X bit!)
    
3. Finish off by taking another turn around the base of the cleat (your second O)

Another job to do with mooring lines….As crew you may also get asked to coil your mooring lines for stowage once you set sail. Let’s take a look at how you coil your mooring line…. Why not practice this before you head out for your next sail, you’ll definitely impress your skipper!

When you get to the end check with your skipper how he wants you to finish the coil off – for it to be stowed in a locker, hung up?

1. Take the end and wrap it around the coils (several times)
    
2. Then pass it through the middle of the loops at the top of the coil (above where you have wrapped then end around the coil)
    
3. If you’re going to put it in a locker, pull the loop over the top of the coil and pull tight. If you’re going to hang it instead of pulling the loop over the top of the coil, hold the loop and past the end through the loop then tie it up where the skipper wants it.

Learning the ropes information has been taken from RYA Go Cruising! written by Claudia Myatt. Check out RYA Go Cruising! for loads more top tips and information about going cruising.

QUIZ TIME

Test your learning the ropes knowledge in this quick and fun quiz… good luck

1. When might you use an O X O?
2. Where would you find a cleat?
3. What does a halyard do?
4. How many sheets does a jib / foresail have?
5. When do you need to coil a mooring line?

You’ll find all the answers in the story above!

Special offer...
 

You can now purchase a copy of RYA Go Cruising! and the RYA Go Cruising activity book for just £12.00 while stocks last. RYA Go Cruising is perfect for young boaters who want to learn all about becoming valuable crew members whether on sail or motor cruisers, in a fun and informative way. While the RYA Go Cruising! Activity book is crammed full of fun games and quizzes, fab stickers and puzzles for you to enjoy.

RYA Youth and Junior membership

Want to join the RYA? We have special memberships designed exclusively for younger members.

RYA Junior Membership – As an RYA Junior member (up to 11 years old) you’ll receive a welcome pack containing an activity book on joining. You’ll be sent a quarterly newsletters from ‘Bob the Buoy’ crammed full of stories and quizzes, facts and pictures. You also have your own dedicated Junior Members area on the RYA website where you’ll find the latest news, gallery, your stories, games and lots more.

RYA Youth Membership – Designed for young people between 12 and 17 years of age. When you join you’ll receive a welcome pack containing the RYA Youth Notebook which is crammed full of useful information, a personal log to record your boating activities, contacts, events and much more. You’ll also receive an exclusive Youth member e-newsletter four times a year and have access to a dedicated Youth area on the RYA website. Here you can catch up on all the latest youth news and videos, read about different marine related careers, check out the photo gallery and share stories about the boating you do.