Falcon Sail standing line (sometimes known as stays) knot tying instructions
Occasionally our customers untie the knots that were tied when their kayak sail kit was shipped to them. This is always a mistake.
When people untie the knots, they usually call us for help.
The knots provided with the Falcon Sails do not slip, and are very easy to loosen to adjust.
If you are tying knots like this, make sure you have very high quality low stretch line that is capable of holding these knots.
Only marine quality pre stretched line is worthy of this important job. Typical store bought line stretch and result in standing rigging that leans and or will not even stay standing.
Any line provided with a Falcon Sail rig will be high quality low stretch line, and is ready for the job of holding your mast upright very solidly.
Follow the instructions below to properly tie your stay lines on your falcon sail rig.
You can click on the pictures below to see them in high resolution.
This is a picture of the Falcon Sail patent pending junction ring with 1 stay line properly knotted. Some boats will have 4 & some will only need 2.
If you have a 4 stay system, you will have 2 back stays, and 2 side stays. If you need 2 stays you will have 2 back stays.
This picture shows the parts before the knots are tied. There is a junction ring, 1/8" pre stretched black Dacron line, and a stainless steel clip. The ends of the lines are cut blunt with a hot knife to prevent fraying and knot ends from slipping thru a knot.
One end of the line is put through a hole in the junction ring. In this case, it is a back stay hole.
This shows a simple overhand knot being tied.
Here the overhand knot is pulled tight.
This picture shows step 1 of making an overhand knot on a bight. It sounds more complicated than it is.
In any case, you start by making a turn in the line 18 inches from the top of the junction ring.
turn it into a loop.
continue to turn the line.
and make a simple overhand knot
Tighten it up a bit.
This is an overhand knot on a bight
Make the loop about 1" long. It does not have to be precise.
Start making a sheet bend
Put the stainless clip on the end of the line.
Bring the end to the Overhand knot on a bight Here it is with a red line just to make it more clear.
Thread the end thru the Overhand knot on a bight in this direction. Here it is with a red line just to make it more clear.
Turn the line under the Overhand knot on a bight. Here it is with a red line just to make it more clear.
Feed the line thru the resulting loop. Here it is with a red line just to make it more clear. This is the part of the knot you use to adjust the length of the standing lines. This is the part of the knot you use to adjust the length of the standing lines.
pull it tight. This is a sheet bend Here it is with a red line just to make it more clear.
Here it is tightened up. Make sure it looks like this.
This knot will never slip.
It is simplistic and can be loosened any time you like to adjust the length of your standing lines.
Once it is set, it will never move unless you loosen it intentionally. Here it is with a red line just to make it more clear.
In the end, it should look like this.
You have to repeat this until you have all the standing lines you need.
After you have adjusted the lines to length as needed for your boat, cut the loose end and leave about 1 inch. Then melt the end with a flame. It will make your rigging easier to adjust, neater and lighter.
Do not worry that you will cut the line too short. If you leave about 1" you will have plenty. In the unlikely event you have a problem, let Falcon Sails know and we will send you replacement line.
Once the knots are fully tightened, they will not move. Water Knot - ideal knot for tying the bow pulley to the boat. This knot is easy to tie, and will not slip loose.
Bowline Knot - a very easy to tie and very useful knot.
The bowline knot has to be one of the most useful knots just short of how to tie your shoes. It is easy to tie, very reliable, and never becomes too tight to untie. It is one knot a sailor should know. It is great for tying lines to your sail.
