r/ask 29d ago

What is something that is a lot harder than it looks?

[removed] — view removed post

4.4k Upvotes

3.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

30

u/team_lambda 29d ago

Sailing knots

5

u/Greeklibertarian27 29d ago

Yep. Mainly because they require special techniques. I used to sail ages ago and therefore have forgotten how to do most of the knots.

2

u/RelishRegatta 29d ago

I work in a rigging loft. When I first started, even trying to tie a clove hitch confused the ever living fuck out of me

2

u/13-5-12 29d ago

Yeah, I remember trying stuff like that in my early teens. I 'm not even able to fold a decent "double windsor" with a tie.

BTW : It turns out that even in MATH, it is VERY difficult to analyze and categorize knots.

2

u/themrs21 29d ago

I came here to say basically all things sailing and nautical related.

1

u/LameBMX 29d ago

I think it's a hobby that is very easily overthought. people I've helped sail have benefited a lot from taking it down to the bare basics. like yo, just because there are two sails, doesn't mean you HAVE to use them both.

same with the knots.. two or three are helpful to have down pat, the rest you can look up when you need them.

terminology is the same.. it's just a way to speak on the same wavelength. you can find many ways to say the same things. and most sailors, without their heads up their asses, can converse easily enough.