A turn is one round of
rope
A rope is a group of yarns, Plying, plies, fibres, or strands that are plying, twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have high tensile strength and can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger ...
on a
pin or
cleat, or one round of a coil. Turns can be made around various objects, through
rings, or around the
standing part of the rope itself or another rope. A turn also denotes a component of a
knot
A knot is an intentional complication in Rope, cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including List of hitch knots, hitches, List of bend knots, bends, List of loop knots, loop knots, ...
.
When the legs of a loop are brought together and crossed the rope has taken a turn. One distinguishes between single turn, round turn, and two round turns depending on the number of revolutions around an object. The benefit of round turns is best understood from the
capstan equation
The capstan equation or belt friction equation, also known as Euler–Eytelwein formula (after Leonhard Euler and Johann Albert Eytelwein), relates the hold-force to the load-force if a flexible line is wound around a cylinder (a bollard, a wi ...
.
Riding turn
A riding turn is a section of rope that passes on top of another section of rope, often parallel or at only a slight angle to the section below. Examples of riding turns can be seen in both the
constrictor knot
The constrictor knot is one of the most effective Binding (knot), binding knots.Clifford W. Ashley, ''The Ashley Book of Knots'' (New York: Doubleday, 1944), 224-225.Brion Toss, ''The Complete Rigger's Apprentice'' (Camden, Maine: International M ...
and the
strangle knot. The second course of wrappings in some
seizing knots can be referred to as riding turns. The formation of an unintentional riding turn on a sailing
winch
A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in (wind up) or let out (wind out) or otherwise adjust the tension (physics), tension of a rope or wire rope (also called "cable" or "wire cable").
In its simplest form, it consists of a Bobb ...
can cause it to jam.
Single hitch
A single hitch is a type of
knot
A knot is an intentional complication in Rope, cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including List of hitch knots, hitches, List of bend knots, bends, List of loop knots, loop knots, ...
. This
hitch is actually a turn tied around an object where the end is secured by its own standing part.
[Clifford W. Ashley, ''The Ashley Book of Knots'' (New York: Doubleday, 1944), fig. 49]
See also
*
List of knots
This list of knots includes many alternative names for common knots and lashings. Knot names have evolved over time, and there are many conflicting or confusing naming issues. The overhand knot, for example, is also known as the thumb knot. The ...
References
{{Knots
Knot components