KNOTS FOR SAILORS
with Andy & Lisa BatchelorMaster the most useful sailing knots—fast. Learn when to use them, how to tie them correctly, and memory tricks that stick.
Whether you’re docking, reefing, or towing, the right knot makes everything safer and easier. In this live, hands-on online class you’ll practice along with clear demonstrations and step-by-step guidance. Walk away confident in the essential knots every sailor should know.
REGISTER NOW
ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW
Join Captains Lisa & Andy Batchelor for a practical, 90-minute session that blends visuals, live demos, and “tie-along” practice. You’ll learn the uses, strengths, and pitfalls of core knots, loops, hitches, and bends—and how to teach your crew once you’ve got them dialed. Includes live Q&A and access to the on-demand replay.
Who is this online class for?
New sailors learning the ropes, returning skippers brushing up before a charter, and any boater who wants faster, safer line-handling. Perfect prep for ASA 101–104 skills or as a refresher before your next cruise.
What Will I Learn?
You’ll practice the 20 most practical knots for real-world sailing—what each one does best, when not to use it, and how to tie/untie reliably under load. Expect quick memory aids, common mistakes to avoid, and pro tips for teaching crew.
List of Topics:
- Rope types, parts, loops & turns (what matters and why) Stopper knots: figure-eight and friends—when they shine
- Binding knots that stay put (and release when you need)
- Essential loops (bowline variants, alpine butterfly)
- High-confidence hitches (cleat hitch, rolling hitch, clove hitch)
- Secure bends for joining lines (sheet bend, double fisherman’s)
- Mistakes that cause jams/slip—and how to prevent them
- Practice tips on deck vs. with a portable cleat/line kit
Knot Knowledge, Made Simple
Turn Practice Into Second Nature
From cleat hitches to bowlines, you’ll build muscle memory through hands-on drills and simple teaching techniques you can use with your crew. Gain the confidence to tie the right knot quickly under pressure, on deck, or at the dock.
Master the Knots That Matter Most
Get to know the 20 most practical knots for sailing. Discover which ones are best for docking, reefing, towing, securing gear, and how to untie them even after heavy load.
Confidence Starts with the Line in Your Hands
Whether you’re a new sailor learning the ropes or an experienced skipper refreshing skills before your next passage, this course gives you the confidence, control, and precision that define safe seamanship.
YOUR HOSTS
CAPTAINS LISA & ANDY BATCHELOR
Sail Solomons ASA School & Charter Base, Founders
Captains Andy Batchelor and Lisa Batchelor Frailey are both lifelong sailors and retired military officers. Andy served in the Royal Air Force in aviation and intelligence, and Lisa served in the US Navy in aviation, meteorology and oceanography – a combination of skills that have proven very useful to sailing and passagemaking. They founded and operated Sail Solomons ASA school and charter base, receiving numerous awards for ASA Outstanding School and Outstanding Instructors.
Andy and Lisa wrote ASA’s textbooks for Bareboat Cruising, Catamaran Cruising, and Dinghies and Outboard and are the primary contributors to ASA’s Advanced Cruising and Seamanship text. Their most recent book, Docking & Maneuvering Made Easy, is American Sailing’s new textbook for the ASA 118 Docking Endorsement. Lisa also regularly teaches the ASA 119, Marine Weather Endorsement.
Cruising for seven years onboard their Passport 47 ZINGARO and Outbound 46 KINETIC, Andy and Lisa have made numerous coastal passages and ocean voyages, conducting cruising and passagemaking training while living aboard in exotic locations. They also organize and lead sailing flotillas on cruising catamarans and monohulls in the Caribbean. Andy and Lisa are regular speakers at Cruisers’ University and present many live and virtual seminars.
Andy and Lisa launched Kinetic Sailing to offer marine consulting, charter brokerage, instructional yacht deliveries and tailored instruction with a global scope. They are USCG Captains, cruisers, instructors, analysts and business owners with a wealth of experience in the sailing industry.
GET YOUR KNOT TYING KIT IN TIME FOR CHRIStMAS!
Portable Nautical Knot Tying Kit
Practice 20 essential knots with a horn cleat, cords, and guide.
GET THE KIT
ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION
@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)
Regular Price
$39
ASA Member Price
$29
ON-DEMAND ACCESS
All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.
ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT
American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you're not a current member, then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!
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