Don't Forget-Me-Knots
By Adam Cort
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| The Andy’s Sailing Knots iPhone app will ensure you always get those knots, hitches and bends right, including those you use only rarely |
A knowledge of knots, bends and hatches is central to good seamanship, and while it’s true that in the vast majority of cases a limited number of them will suffice, we could all probably stand to know a few more. For me, the kicker is the anchor bend. It’s a great way to attach a line to a shackle, but I rarely use it and can never seem to retrieve it correctly from my cerebral database on those rare occasions when I need it. My rolling hitch is also pretty rusty, requiring more thought to tie than it should.
For those similarly challenged, there is now the Andy’s Sailing Knots iPhone app by regular SAIL illustrator Andy Steer, which includes a score of common knots, hitches and bends, ranging from the figure-eight knot and reef knot to mooring and clove hitches.
The illustrations are clear and easy to make sense of, whether reminding you how to do something you supposedly learned back in junior sailors or helping you figure it out for the first time. The app is “animated” in the sense that illustrations can be played sequentially in slide-show fashion. You can also click through each sequence manually or pause the animated sequence at any time to make sure you’re getting things right.
In many ways, the app recreates what already exists in countless books on marlinspike seamanship. However, it offers the advantage of always being at your fingertips wherever you have your phone. The app also downloads in its entirety to your phone so you can use it anywhere—not bad for something that costs all of $0.99! For more on Andy’s Sailing Knots App, click here.
Reader Comments
I downloaded the app and I was surprised by the quality of the illustrations. Great value for money!
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Do any of you still know how to tie the Dragging Bowline? No? You just tie a regular Bowling and then drag it behind you. U.S. Navy Fun For New seamen and Ensign's God Bless America With A Complete NEW Government Neither Republican Or Democrat Senior Chief Freeman Retired
Looks good. How about porting it to the Android market so I can use it?
Do you remember sending the polywogs for a sound powered phone battery?
Knots, bends and "hatches"? Perhaps the word should be hitches...
I downloaded this app and it froze in short time. I ended up deleting it and now am afraid to try again, have to pay a second time and have the same thing happen.
Hi there, I'm one of the developers of the app. When the App Freezes please mail me at marc@happycoding4you.com for personal support to we can help you and others with nasty bugs if present. You can download a payed app again by pushing the buy button. It will not be billed again. You will get a message saying you already bought it and that you can proceed to download it again. This is also handy when you want to install it on a second to fifth device that is coupled with the same iTunes Store Account. Best regards, Marc Collet, Happy Coding 4 You