Arlo: This is a bowline, a very useful knot!
Arlo: It's strong but easily released under strain!
Arlo: Say you want to tie a line to the clew of a jib...
Janis: Ah!
Learning a foreign language could be easier than learning the vocabulary needed to converse on a sailboat. With a foreign language you are learning how to say in a different way, about something you already know.A bowline puts a loop on a rope that retains about 90 percent of the breaking strength. Only an eye splice retains 100 percent of the breaking strength. My first eye splice on double braid rope took over three hours. After doing a dozen for the Easy-Jacks on my mizen sail I was down to less than 90 minutes. I have learned many useful knots since I learned to sail, evan a better way to tie a knot in shoe laces.
@EggMan, I think that explains Janis’s smile in panel three, and also her disappointed expression in panel four. When the kid’s away, the parents will play.
This strip brought such a huge smile to my face, especially the 3rd panel. The first strip I ever read of this comic was the 4/10/08 strip (handcuffs) and I’ve enjoyed this comic ever since.
got the knots wrong. A bowline is a handy utility knot. It GETS STRONGER with strain.you might want to consider the trucker’s tiedown, or "highwayman’s hitch ". That’s quick release
I think he meant a sheep’s shank. I holds under strain and releases when given slack. Never used one, but it was required to know when I was in boy scouts.
I like this comic when it goes into it’s subtle ‘mature’ content-subtle being the key word. But this one is a little too much for a comic, didn’t need that!
Tue Elung-Jensen about 12 years ago
yeaah… we all know what that smile means :p
quickly24 about 12 years ago
janis- the answer is rollerfurling with lines going back to the cockpit.
Larry Kroeger Premium Member about 12 years ago
Learning a foreign language could be easier than learning the vocabulary needed to converse on a sailboat. With a foreign language you are learning how to say in a different way, about something you already know.A bowline puts a loop on a rope that retains about 90 percent of the breaking strength. Only an eye splice retains 100 percent of the breaking strength. My first eye splice on double braid rope took over three hours. After doing a dozen for the Easy-Jacks on my mizen sail I was down to less than 90 minutes. I have learned many useful knots since I learned to sail, evan a better way to tie a knot in shoe laces.
Varnes about 12 years ago
I learned all my knots in Scouts, but the most useful one I learned in the blueberry business, the tie down knot. Works great.
doublepaw about 12 years ago
“Arrrrrgggghhhh!” When is talk like a pirate day anyway?
ScullyUFO about 12 years ago
Does anyone know how to make a will not?
toppop52 about 12 years ago
That’s why I like my high performance Donzi, a double half hitch and the name of the Tiki bar 80 miles up the Chesapeake will get me through!
ghek about 12 years ago
Ropes can be used for fun and games.
belcherman about 12 years ago
@EggMan, I think that explains Janis’s smile in panel three, and also her disappointed expression in panel four. When the kid’s away, the parents will play.
finale about 12 years ago
Jute or velvet?
har67212-comics1 about 12 years ago
http://www.talklikeapirate.com/September 19th (every year) is International Talk Like A Pirate Day
[All Hope Abandon, Ye Who Enter Here]
har67212-comics1 about 12 years ago
I wouldn’t want to tie my jib sheet with an exploding knot.
Superhawk about 12 years ago
Arlo, velvet handcuffs would have kept her interest a little longer. :^)
JohnHarry Premium Member about 12 years ago
A bowline releases AFTER being under great stress.Unlike most other knots – also known as knifeknots.
wsash about 12 years ago
This strip brought such a huge smile to my face, especially the 3rd panel. The first strip I ever read of this comic was the 4/10/08 strip (handcuffs) and I’ve enjoyed this comic ever since.
Lewis Hundley about 12 years ago
got the knots wrong. A bowline is a handy utility knot. It GETS STRONGER with strain.you might want to consider the trucker’s tiedown, or "highwayman’s hitch ". That’s quick release
prrdh about 12 years ago
Interesting timing on this…I just saw the “Fearful Symmetry” episode of the Inspector Lewis series.
Ermine Notyours about 12 years ago
Man who thinks of boats all the time has ship for brains.
smalltownbrown about 12 years ago
Safe word! Safe word!
Crandlemire about 12 years ago
All these comments are “knot” funny
kaecispopX about 12 years ago
I think he meant a sheep’s shank. I holds under strain and releases when given slack. Never used one, but it was required to know when I was in boy scouts.
tbritt99 about 12 years ago
A little Shibari, Janis? Naughty girl.
Linda Solomon about 12 years ago
Note to self: Do Knot Respond…Do Knot….
larrybeth Premium Member about 12 years ago
I like this comic when it goes into it’s subtle ‘mature’ content-subtle being the key word. But this one is a little too much for a comic, didn’t need that!
wlhoffert about 12 years ago
As cited earlier, a bowline does NOT give way easily under strain. It is fun to see knots in strip but please get it right.
Boise Ed Premium Member about 12 years ago
Poor Janis — she hasn’t a clew.
BillWa about 12 years ago
I am surprised at how many people think this strip was about boats. Anybody else remember the handcuff key strip?
wroady about 12 years ago
I love a good sheepshank!
Prescott_Philosopher over 1 year ago
I’m amazed. Arlo called it a line and not a rope. Good going JJ.