| How many times have you found that you need a | | | | Pull about 9" of the other line through the loop toward |
| longer line for docking at a pier or slip? You have two | | | | you. Wrap the bitter end around the back of the |
| lines aboard, but what marine knot should you use to | | | | teardrop and then two times under itself. As you pass |
| join them together fast, easy, safe, and secure? Enter | | | | the line a second time around the teardrop, make sure |
| the reliable "king of joinery"--the double becket bend! | | | | it stays below and parallel to the first wrap. |
| Use the double becket bend to tie two lines of unequal | | | | 3. Remove the slack |
| diameter (width), or two lines of equal diameter. Sure, | | | | Take all slack out of the knot. Notice that there are |
| you could just tie two bowlines together, but that takes | | | | four parts of the line that surround the knot--two bitter |
| much more line and forms two bulky knots instead of | | | | ends and two standing parts. Pull on one part a bit and |
| one compact knot. | | | | then pull on another part. Continue to do this until the |
| Follow these three easy steps to success. | | | | knot makes a tight, compact shape. This insures that |
| 1. Make an upside-down loop | | | | your double becket bend stays tight and secure in |
| Pick up the larger line (or one of the lines if both are | | | | even the worst marine weather or extreme tides. |
| equal diameter) and make a teardrop shaped loop. | | | | Use these easy to follow steps to tie the strong, |
| Hold this in your non-dominant hand with the widest | | | | reliable double becket bend. You can rest assured that |
| part down. | | | | it will hold your small cruising boat safe and secure |
| 2. Form the knot | | | | where many other marine knots would fail. |