The Jury Mast Knot is used when setting up a temporary mast after the original is damaged or lost at sea.
It’s placed at the top of the new mast, with the mast projecting through the center of the knot.
It forms several loops around the mast that holds stays and shrouds, providing a firm and secure grip.
Let’s learn it in detail.
Jury Mast Knot Details
Type: Boating Knots
Other Names: Masthead Knot, Pitcher Knot
ABoK Reference: #1167, #1168, #1169, #2563
How to Tie a Jury Mast Knot
The Ashley Book of Knots lists three variations of the Jury Mast Knot. It varies based on the type of crossing of the three loops, overhand or underhand.
Here, I’ll show the variation listed as ABoK #1167.
This is the most common variation and the one that sailors use the most because it binds well and does not allow the knot to slide downwards.
Here are the steps:
- Create three overlapping loops.
- Pull the loop outwards as indicated by the arrow.
- Tighten and dress the knot.
Jury Mast Knot Step by Step
Other Jury Mast Knot Variations
- ABoK #1168: Slight change in the crossing pattern, and it looks less complicated than the earlier variation.
- ABoK #1169: This is another crossing variation.
All these three variations serve the same purpose, but sailors prefer the #1167 for its gripping power.
Applications and Uses
The Jury Mast Knot was popular during the Age of Sail (1500 to 1850).
Ships depended on their mast, and when one broke or was lost at sea, the crew had to improvise.
With the Jury Mast, they could set up a makeshift mast and keep sailing.
In modern days, it’s not critical for sailing purposes. Still, the knot hasn’t disappeared. It’s used as a decorative knot for making a mat.
It can also be used when you need a strong, secure binding around a spar, post, or pole.
That’s it for this article. If you’ve used this knot in your day-to-day life, do let us know in the comments below.
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