Learn a few basic knots..
It’s useful to know a bit of knots before the voyaging – knots are core skills in boating, like is navigating. These few knots are the very basic knots that will help you on board:
Figure 8 (stopper know for ropes)
http://www.animatedknots.com/fig8_/index.php
Bowline
http://www.animatedknots.com/bowline/index.php
Clow Hitch
http://www.animatedknots.com/cloveend/index.php
Round-Turn & Half-Hitches (i.e. for fenders)
http://www.animatedknots.com/roundturn/index.php
Cleat Hitch for docking and for halyard
See also…
Three Simple Knots PDF by Jasper
Ten Mariner School Knots PDF by Jasper
Monkey Fist PDF English and Finnish version (advanced knot ie. for a heaving line), by Jasper
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Art Sail Training 