Bimini Twist

Tying procedure — Bimini Twist

1. Step 01 / 4

   Double a long length of line into a loop, with a long tag lying beside the standing line.

   You should now see: A long loop of doubled line, longer than the double you want to finish with, and a tag long enough to roll back over the twists and tie the hitches.

   If it goes wrong: Starting with too short a loop or tag. The loop will not reach over your knee once the twists are in, or the tag runs out before the half hitches.

   Fix: Start again with more line doubled. The spare is trimmed off at the end.

   Why: The twists use up part of the loop, and the tag has to roll back over every twist and then tie several hitches, so both need extra length.

   1Tag, left long

   2Loop of doubled line

   3Standing line

   Step 1 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Double a long length of line into a loop, with a long tag beside the standing line

   Hold: Left hand pinches the tag and standing line together where they meet

   Move: Right hand draws out a long loop of doubled line

   You should now see: A long, narrow loop of doubled line, and a long tag lying beside the standing line at your hand.

2. Step 02 / 4

   Spin the end of the loop to put at least 20 twists in the doubled line, then slip the loop over your knee and pull the standing line and tag apart to keep the twists tight.

   You should now see: A tight, even column of twists running from your hands toward the loop, with the loop held open over your knee.

   If it goes wrong: Letting the pull ease while getting the loop over your knee. The twists loosen, bunch up, or leave gaps along the column.

   Fix: If gaps appear, take the loop off, untwist it, and put the twists in again before putting tension back on.

   Why: NetKnots uses 20 twists. Animated Knots recommends about 30 for mono and more for braid. Put the full count in now, because twists cannot be added once the tag starts rolling back.

   1Twenty twists

   2Open end of the loop

   Step 2 of 4 · move 1 of 2

   Spin the end of the loop to put at least 20 twists in the doubled line

   Hold: Left hand holds the tag and standing line together

   Move: Right hand inside the loop end turns it over and over, twenty times

3. 1Loop over the knee

   2Tag

   3Standing line

   Step 2 of 4 · move 2 of 2

   Slip the loop over your knee and pull the standing line and tag apart

   Hold: The knee holds the loop open at the far end

   Move: Both hands pull the standing line and the tag apart, keeping the twists tight

   You should now see: A tight, even column of twists running from your hands to the loop, which is held open over your knee.

4. Step 03 / 4

   Keep the tension on and lower the hand holding the tag until it rolls back over the twists, spreading the loop so the tag wraps down to the end. Lock it with a half hitch around one leg of the loop.

   You should now see: The tag wound tightly over the twists in touching turns all the way down to the loop, held there by a single half hitch.

   If it goes wrong: Easing the tension or letting go before the half hitch is on. The tag unrolls and the twists spring loose, which shows as the wraps opening up along the column.

   Fix: A Bimini that has unwound cannot be patched. Untwist the line and start again from step 2.

   Why: Spreading the two legs of the loop is what drives the tag down over the twists. The single half hitch only holds everything while you tie the final lock.

   1Tag rolling over the twists in touching turns

   2Twists still bare

   Step 3 of 4 · move 1 of 2

   Keep the tension on and lower the tag hand so the tag rolls back over the twists

   Hold: Left hand keeps a steady pull on the standing line

   Move: Right hand lowers the tag to a right angle and eases it, letting it wind down the column

5. 1Half hitch round one leg

   2Tag wrapped to the loop

   Step 3 of 4 · move 2 of 2

   Spread the loop until the tag wraps to the end, then half hitch round one leg

   Hold: Left hand and knee keep the loop spread and the pull steady

   Move: Right hand takes the tag once round the near leg and through under itself

   You should now see: The tag wound tightly over the twists all the way down to the loop, held there by one half hitch round a single leg.

6. Step 04 / 4

   Tie 3 to 5 half hitches with the tag around both legs of the loop, working back toward the knot. Pull them tight against the base of the twists and trim the tag to about 6 mm (a quarter inch).

   You should now see: A neat collar of hitches snug against the end of the twists, a short tag, and a loop that keeps its full length when pulled.

   If it goes wrong: Too few hitches, or hitches left loose away from the twists. The collar slides and the twists start to unwind when the double is loaded.

   Fix: If the tag is still long, add hitches and pull them down tight. If the tag is already trimmed and the collar moves, tie the knot again.

   Why: The hitches around both legs stop the tag unrolling from the twists. Working them back toward the knot packs them against the column instead of leaving a gap.

   1The first hitch, round one leg

   2Half hitch round both legs, tucked under itself

   3Three half hitches in a row

   Step 4 of 4 · move 1 of 2

   Tie three half hitches with the tag round both legs, working back toward the knot

   Hold: Left hand and knee keep the loop under tension

   Move: Right hand takes the tag round both legs and under itself, three times

7. Step 4 of 4 · move 2 of 2

   Pull the hitches tight against the base of the twists and trim the tag to 6 mm

   Hold: Left hand holds the loop

   Move: Right hand draws each hitch snug against the twists, then trims the tag

   You should now see: A neat collar of hitches snug against the end of the twists, a short tag, and a loop that keeps its full length when pulled.