AB Marlinspike Seamanship and Knots 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 'rolling hitch' is most useful when you need to:
- Attach a line to another line under load so it won't slide (Correct answer)
- Secure a line to a ring bolt
- Join two lines of equal diameter
- Form a loop that does not slip
Correct answer: Attach a line to another line under load so it won't slide
The rolling hitch grips a loaded spar or line and resists sliding in one direction, making it ideal for relieving tension on another line.
Question 2: Polyester (Dacron) line is preferred over nylon for running rigging because it:
- Has very low stretch, maintaining precise sail trim (Correct answer)
- Floats on the water surface
- Has higher breaking strength than nylon
- Is more resistant to UV radiation than all other synthetics
Correct answer: Has very low stretch, maintaining precise sail trim
Polyester's minimal stretch keeps running rigging responsive and prevents sails from losing shape when loads change.
Question 3: When a fiber rope has been overloaded beyond its elastic limit, the correct action is to:
- Remove it from service and inspect or replace it (Correct answer)
- Reduce future loads and continue using it
- Soak it in water to restore strength
- Re-lay the strands to realign fibers
Correct answer: Remove it from service and inspect or replace it
Overloading permanently damages fiber alignment and internal structure, so the rope should be retired from critical use.
Question 4: Which hitch is best used to temporarily attach a line to a spar or rail for hoisting, where the pull is in-line with the spar?
- Timber hitch (Correct answer)
- Clove hitch
- Round turn and two half hitches
- Reef knot
Correct answer: Timber hitch
The timber hitch (and a half hitch forward) wraps around and grips a spar under in-line tension, tightening as load increases.
Question 5: The term 'lay' of a rope refers to:
- The direction and pitch of the twist of the strands (Correct answer)
- The number of strands in the rope
- The material the rope is made from
- The diameter of individual wire or fiber
Correct answer: The direction and pitch of the twist of the strands
Lay describes whether strands are twisted right-handed (clockwise) or left-handed (counter-clockwise), and the tightness of that twist.
Question 6: A 'back splice' is used to:
- Permanently finish and prevent unlaying of a rope's end (Correct answer)
- Create a fixed eye at the rope's end
- Join two rope ends together
- Repair a damaged section mid-rope
Correct answer: Permanently finish and prevent unlaying of a rope's end
A back splice turns the strands back into the rope in a crown knot start, preventing the end from unraveling without adding much bulk.
Question 7: What does 'surging' a line on a capstan or winch mean?
- Allowing the line to slip in a controlled manner to ease tension (Correct answer)
- Tightening the line by taking in slack
- Cutting the line under emergency conditions
- Passing extra wraps to increase holding power
Correct answer: Allowing the line to slip in a controlled manner to ease tension
Surging is deliberately letting a line slip around a capstan drum to gradually reduce tension without removing the line entirely.
AB Marlinspike Seamanship and Knots 5
A 'rolling hitch' is most useful when you need to: