Usefull Knot for Aka

While working out the need for an adjustable knot for a jib project, I came across a useful knot I wanted to shared with the group. The knot is a Boom Hitch. Similar to a rolling hitch, it has more throws and is more secure. It can be used to secure a line to an aka. The line has this unique property of being able to adjust tension by simply sliding the knot to any position on the aka. No matter where on the aka you set the knot, the working end of the line (standing line) will hold solid. Some may find use for this knot, barber haulers etc.




Anyone else find some useful knots?

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

After thinking about it , this knot could also be usefull for...

Securing the akas from pulling out while sailing
Tensioning sprayskirts onto the akas.
Safety lines to prevent ama collapse
Mast stays
Lines to secure amas from bouncing out

Lots of potential when you think about it because it opens up many more secure, yet adjustable attachment points on the boat. Depending on how you set it up, the quick release of tension feature by sliding the knot along the aka would make for fast, easy intentional collaping the akas when needed.

You can buy the rubberized dip used for tools and coat line to make if even more secure if you wanted to. It comes in a spray can as well. Doubt you would need it with this knot but it might make a easier tied, less secure knot like the rolling hitch hold secure.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

"Securing the aka's from pulling out"
That was exactly what I was thinking while reading your original post. I have been looking for a clever way to do that and I think you found it.
Thanks

Chris

Just thinking here. You could use two ropes one going from outside rear aka around the front crossbar and back to the outside rear aka. The other goes from outside front aka around the aft crossbar and back to the outside front aka. Tie the ends mid aka so that you tension when sliding the knot out.





Make sure you tie the original Boom hitches mid aka and in the correct orientation (standing line directed towards the hull) so that sliding them out tensions the lines and sliding them in allows for the akas to be collapsed when needed. Once the knots are tied you may never need to retie them. Come to think of it, obstructions on the back aka don't allow you to slide the knot all the way into the hull so you probably need to untie one knots on the back akas (blue line) to collapse the akas. You could always use a quick release mid line in that line as well if you wanted.

This simple, cheap arraignment would...

Keep the akas from collapsing
Keep the akas from pulling out
Allow for Traps and provides some support under the tramps.

Have not tried this yet but it seems reasonable that it should work.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

I see an issue. If the tramps are on,you wont be able to slide the front knots to release to create tension. You could always tie one of the front knots under tension, use a mid line quick release (best option) or just not use tramps.

I have not been on the water yet to test the security of these knots when subjected to 6-8 hrs of moving akas and jarring waves. I should have a test run this weekend and will give an update. Real world testing has a way of refocusing reality.

If the knot hold up, it will be an ideal knot to be familiar with in an emergency should something on the boat fail and your miles from shore. Get comfortable with the direction that the standing portion of the line should pull from. It takes some practice at first. It's a great knot to improvise with.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Thanks,I'll give those ideas a try after some practice tying the knot. I have spine board hakas so the tramps are not an issue but the spaflex I padded the akas with may not allow the knot to slide at all. It has a rather tacky surface.
Worst case I can use the knot in a line from aka knuckle to aka knuckle and maybe put a small SST quick link in the middle.

Chris

Animated knots site: http://www.animatedknots.com/boomhitch/

Step-by-step vid for those of us challenged by knots.

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SailHo Kentucky

Buckaroo-- what brand of backboard did you use for the hakas?

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Bryan "Cujo" Edmonds

2015 Tandem Island "Supernova"
2014 Lund SSV18

Nice color match on the Hakas Chris! Did you modify the Spine board at the aka? Something looks different.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

They are Ironduck spineboards
https://ironduck.com/product-category/p ... ineboards/

I put pieces of spaflex tubing that I split with a jigsaw over the akas. The spaflex has a somewhat tacky surface. The spineboards are just lashed onto the spaflex with 2 Ft straps from Austin Kayak. I seem to do it a little differently each time but the handholds on the spineboards make a nice opening to run the straps around in figure eights or whatever works.

chris

Edit:
From a PM in case others want this info:
Iron duck Spineboards I have:
35755-RP ULTRAVUE 18" -RED W/PINS 2.00000 2.00000 204.60000 409.20

I chose the wider 18" ones but others on the forum seem to prefer narrower Hakas and would probably go with the 16" ones. I don't regret getting the larger ones which are also significantly heavier but weight isn't a concern for me.
I also think the Pins are very useful, you can clip a conventional kayak seat right into them just need to add a strap at the crease between the seat and back so they don't slide. To use bungees on the pins you need ones with smaller radius hooks to fit in the pin recesses.

Note that with a 200# ++ person sitting in the middle in the hot sun these spineboards will sag a little but return to flat if you just turn them over. I have considered adding a beam across the bottom but my weight doesn't cause them to sag and I tend to sit close to an aka where they have plenty of support.
Chris

Finally got around to trying the boom hitch and I like it. Note that the diagram above doesn't show a stopper knot on the tail or bitter end as do the animatedknots instructions. I guess this is to prevent the end from pulling out of the knot if it is loose.

Chris

The stopper knot is a good idea and I'll give it a try. If you have constant tension on this knot and the akas are rocking back and forth, I am finding that the knot may slowly slide on the aka over time. I throw one loop in the free end and I run it over the unused knob at the end of the AI front akas. There is little pressure on the knob and the knot does not budge this way.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Alternative to above - works great on aka and is securely locked off. Basically a clove hitch crossed with a constrictor knot.

https://goo.gl/photos/371kK3yPqPwL3dZt5

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2015 Tandem Island - Golden Papaya "HALIBOO"
(retired) Outback - Hibiscus Red