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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Icicle hitch on backstay

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5416 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/05/2010 : 21:13:10

I'd like to rig a small block hanging off my backstay so I can run a burgee up there.

Now I can get a ladder and crimp on a bracket, but I was wondering whether I could tie an icicle hitch around the backstay, connect a small block on the tensioner end, then slide the knot up the backstay using my boat hook pole (12 feet).

Has anybody tried this? I've used icicle hitches before to make lines fast in inaccessible areas, but wonder whether this will work.

Thought? Suggestions?

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2010 : 07:56:45

Name-dropper!

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britinusa
Web Editor

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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2010 : 08:25:56

We were taught the sliding hitch knot in rope work during navy training.

[url="http://animatedknots.com/rollinghitchboating/"]Here's an animation on making the knot to another line.[/url]

Note, it will be virtually useless it tied to a wire backstay!

Paul

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 06/06/2010 : 11:59:36

Try it, what's the worse thing that can happen, it doesn't work? Nobody dies.

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Voyager
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Response Posted - 06/06/2010 : 18:38:30

John, you're right - I'll give it a try.
I learned about this knot from a recent book. It was invented in 1990.
The book claimed that you could literally tie the knot to an icicle or a marlinspike, pull on it longwise and it would not slip.

I've tried it on metal posts (like stanchions and electrical pipe) and don't cha know, it does not slip. I found an article on it at:
[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icicle_hitch"] Wikipedia Icicle Hitch[/url]

and a knot tying video.
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WHA3rq-xTw"] YouTube version [/url] or

In this case, they show you using the end of the tube to complete the knot, but there is also a version where you have to fish the bight around to achieve the same thing - if the end of the pole is not available. It's just a little harder to tie that way.

And, it makes for a great bet at a bar --

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2010 : 19:41:27

But can it hold to an "icicle" that's smaller than the diameter of the rope it's tied with? And how will you cinch it down after pushing it out of reach up the backstay with your boat-hook? Just curious...

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jerlim
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1484 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2010 : 00:09:02

I'm thinking that a rolling hitch would serve better, wouldn't you need to disconnect the backstay to get the final loop of the knot around the stay?

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 06/07/2010 : 03:59:12

Oh, and will it hold if the icicle is in the Gulf? (Oily!)

Lot's of videos on U-Tube on this knot and others.

Paul

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5416 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2010 : 20:34:04

So I tied the knot on my backstay and it's working. Rather than using the "loop around the end of the pipe" approach, I fished the bight around the standing part of the knot, so I was able to tie the knot on the backstay in place.

Once it was on the backstay, I attached a small block, ran a line through the block and then I used my 12' boat pole to slide the knot up as far as it would go.

Once I tightened the line, it stayed up there! I rigged a burgee halyard through the block and raised the flag. The harder I pulled, the tighter the knot became.

Then as a test, I took the boat pole and slid the whole thing back down the backstay. I was worried that I would be unable to retrieve it. It came right down.

I pushed the knot back up the backstay and it works fine. Photos next time I get down to the boat.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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2015 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2010 : 09:09:40

Very cool Bruce, I may have to try that!

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5416 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2010 : 10:17:57

This weekend, I took a photo of the setup and annotated it. You may need a microscope to read the text.

Procedure:
Tie a small block on to the end of the line using a bowline.
Run a 40 foot halyard line through the block, tie end to end and secure to your boat.
Tie the icicle hitch with five wraps loosely around the backstay.
Using a boat pole, push the icicle hitch up the backstay until it's at the desired height.
Pull down on the burgee halyard to snug the hitch in place.

Here's a detail of the knot:

and my desk . . .

Edited by - Voyager on 06/14/2010 10:40:17

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2010 : 10:25:05

Who said knots were dead???? What a great place for a burgee... I never did like the spreader halyard.

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Sloop Smitten
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1181 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2010 : 10:42:49

Bruce,
Wondering where you tied off the halyard?

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5416 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2010 : 10:43:39

Coolest thing about it, it's not in the Ashley Book of Knots - the Icicle hitch was developed by a John Smith in the early 1990's.

As I said, it's a great way to win a free beer in a bar - tell a guy that you can tie a knot that he cannot slide down a pole no matter how hard he tries. Bet him a beer.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5416 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2010 : 10:46:28

I looped the halyard under the rod that the traveller rides on. It's way off to the port side.

Edited by - Voyager on 06/14/2010 10:46:45

Renzo
Admiral

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621 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2010 : 11:51:21

Nice job Bruce! Once more you've proved that sailors can fix just abot anything with a piece of line, a rigging knife and a fid.

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