Seamanship

Skills & Knowledge

Knots & Reading Materials

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

-Louisa May Alcott and Uncle Bruce


Hipuʻu (Knots)

Knowing how to handle kaula (rope) is crucial to being a part of any voyaging crew. Rope and the use of knots is ancient technology thousands of years old that continues to be used today. Great knots are easy to tie, secure, simple and easy to untie. There are around 4,000 different types of knots.

Below are a few of the main knots and rope techniques that have helped Hōkūleʻa crews safely voyage around the planet for over 40 years. Animatedknots.com has many more with some good descriptions for their uses:

Kanehunamoku Voyaging Academy also put together this page about knots on the waʻa.

Reading

Sailing dynamics, canoe handling, and more

Picture Sources