Tech gadget guy mixed with someone who likes knot tying

| May 6, 2022

This is what you get when you continue to use leftover chargers from old phones (my Palm Pre) and continue to rely on sailing knot tying skills. Really just a filler post for a Tech Friday after noticing just how unique the old Palm USB plug was in design and how I ended up fidgeting […]

I’m missing sailing, but here are a few new knot tying ideas

| September 20, 2020

Most people who enjoy sailing and undertake the sport/activity as a hobby, also enjoy learning how to handle the many sheets and lines (ropes) that are used aboard a sailboat. I’ve been sailing off and on my entire life and find myself relying on a few knots that I’m confident about. Oh, I also enjoy […]

Sailing Archive: A knot from Captain John’s Skipper Tips

| May 27, 2018

There is always a need for "another knot" when sailing. Here’s one for joining lines together with a few pointers from Captain John’s Skipper Tips. Anytime you join one line to another, you want a knot that will hold under a shock load. Think of any line like a rubber-band. Boat wakes, tidal rise and […]

A few Marlinspike knot tying terms from BoatSafe.com

| May 8, 2018

Bitter end: the free end of a line Standing part: the longer part of a line which is fixed during the tying of a knot Bight: The part of the rope between the end and the standing part. A loop formed by folding the rope back on itself Turn: a loop formed around a post, […]

How to tie a cleat hitch video by APS Advisor #sailing

| August 28, 2017

Good visual video advice on How to tie a cleat hitch from APS – three different options and reasons for each. Half Wrap Cleat Hitch Full Wrap Cleat Hitch Multi Wrap Cleat Hitch

VIDEO: How to Make a Soft Shackle >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

| June 1, 2016

Soft shackles made from Dyneema are lighter and stronger than stainless steel, they are also kinder to your boat and your hands. Yachting Monthly demonstra Source: VIDEO: How to Make a Soft Shackle >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

Knots and tying and quicker modified Bowline options

| April 28, 2014

I’ve always been intrigued with ways to improve on knots and look for faster ways to tie them. For example, I’ve used the “Flying Bowline” (not mastered it), as well as the one-handed and around the waist versions before – I might try to demonstrate them in a future post. The Flying or Tugboat Bowline […]

What is the best way to keep a load secure on top of your car?

| March 11, 2014

While I was uploading a short knot tying video for a blog post the last week, it occurred to me that very few people know how to tie a proper Trucker’s Hitch as a way to secure a load to the top of their car or in a trailer (great for securing a tent to […]

What’s the difference between Jury Rig and Jerry Rig?

| March 6, 2014

Earlier this week I used a term in the title of a post, “Jury rigging SeaTalk connections on marine electronics,” and was sent an email questioning me about using the term Jury-Rig instead of Jerry Rig. Jury-Rig is the term used in my nautical books and magazines and I’ve adopted that, but  I like the […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog