The Bowline Knot – The Essential Knot for Sailors

The bowline is arguably the most popular knot in the sailing world. Usually one of the first knots mastered by a novice sailor, it is considered one of the most versatile and trusted knots aboard any vessel. Although not the strongest knot, it is quick to tie, even one-handed in an emergency, and can be easily untied even under load. But where does it get its name?

History

The bowline was a favoured knot during the Age of Sail. Its name comes from its use on square-rigged ships, where it secured a line to the edge of a sail and pulled it forward toward the bow. This allowed a ship to sail close-hauled by preventing the sail from being blown back (or taken aback) against the mast.

Bowline-like knots have also been found far earlier than the tall ships era. Examples were discovered on Khufu’s Solar Ship, an Egyptian vessel unearthed in 1954 beside the Great Pyramid of Giza. Dating to around 2500 BC, the ship is believed to have been a ceremonial vessel for King Cheops. The presence of bowline structures on this ancient craft shows just how long this knot has been in use.

Bowline Statistics

Any knot will weaken the rope in which it is tied. In pull tests, the bowline performs well, typically breaking at around 70–75% of the rope’s full strength. The figure-eight follow-through knot is stronger, but the bowline remains popular because it can be untied after loading and tied reliably with one hand. However, the bowline can loosen when not under tension, and it can capsize (change structure) if tied incorrectly or misused. For greater security, several variations are recommended.

Bowline Variations

There are many variations of the bowline, including the Cossack Bowline, Double Bowline, Water Bowline, Cowboy (or Dutch) Bowline, Portuguese Bowline, and Running Bowline. For added safety, a Water Bowline or Double Bowline is often preferred.

How to Tie 5 Bowline Variations

The following video demonstrates several useful versions of the bowline:

Yosemite Bowline – Designed to prevent slipping.
Water Bowline – More secure for wet, slippery lines.
Round-Turn Bowline – More secure than a standard bowline and lays better than a Water Bowline.
Bowline on a Bight – Creates a loop in the middle of a long line when neither end is accessible.
Twin Bowline Bend – A method for joining two lines using bowline structures.

And just for fun, try the flying bowline, a technique where skilled sailors tie the knot one-handed while the line is in motion as seen below:

Fun Facts About the Bowline

The bowline is sometimes called the “King of Knots” because of its simplicity, reliability, and wide-ranging uses.

It is widely used in rescue operations because it can be tied around a person quickly and securely, even with one hand.

A properly tied bowline is visually obvious; if it’s wrong, it’s usually immediately apparent, unlike many other knots that can be mis-tied without being noticed.

Bowlines are older than most written languages, thanks to their appearance on ancient Egyptian vessels.

And one of the most surprising facts: astronauts were taught the bowline during early space missions as a reliable way to secure tools and create safety loops in microgravity.

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