Jury Mast Knot

OTHER USEFUL KNOTS

JURY MAST KNOT

STEP-BY-STEP 1 Make three overhand loops, with the centre one the largest. Overlap the edges of the loops – right over middle, middle over left.

2 Push the loops closer together until the inner edge of the left-hand loop overlaps the inner edge of the right-hand loop.

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3

4

5

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OTHER USEFUL KNOTS

Traditionally used for rigging a temporary jury mast on a boat or ship when the original mast was damaged or lost, the knot was placed at the top of the new mast, which projected from the middle of the knot. The loops were used as anchor points for makeshift stays. As the knot didn’t actually grab the mast, it was necessary to hold it in place, and for that reason it is little used today except as decoration or to rig a mast on a yacht’s tender. This knot is also referred to as the pitcher knot, as it was once used to make handles for earthenware pitchers and bottles. If used for this purpose, the centre of the knot acts as the base while the loops are usually whipped close to the top of the pitcher to form the handles. Used for this purpose, the knot can withstand quite heavy loads.

Then cross the two middle bights left over right and right over left, and weave them over and under, out to the sides. Pull out the side loops until they are the required size.

Pull the centre loop upwards until it is the required size. Finally, tighten the knot.

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