If you have already tied the classic Bowline, the Triple Bowline will feel familiar.
It’s the variation of the standard Bowline that is tied on a bight, and it gives you three loops instead of one.
The triple loop suggests that it requires more rope length to tie it.
Let’s learn it in detail.
Triple Bowline Knot Details
Type: Loop Knot
Other Names: Three Loop Bowline, Triple Bowline on a Bight
ABoK Reference: Not Available
How to Tie a Triple Bowline Knot
- Fold the rope to make a bight in your rope.
- Make a loop in the rope with the doubled line.
- Pass the bight through the loop.
- Pass it under the standing line.
- Feed it through the loop.
- Tighten the knot.
Pro Tip: The Triple Bowline is not as solid as the regular Bowline. The loop which is formed with the free end can collapse if not backed up. So, the free end must be backed up with a stopper knot to be safe.
Application and Uses
The Triple Bowline can be used in an emergency rescue situation to make a full harness.
You can put someone’s legs through two loops, and their torso goes into the third one.
In theory, it looks like a makeshift harness. But honestly, the rescuers usually opt for a proper harness. This knot takes time, and in a rush, the complexity of securing an individual with this knot is simply too demanding.
Still, it’s a good knot to know just in case.
It’s also used to make an anchor with three separate points of attachment. This can help when you’re working with pulleys or lifting stuff.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to tie and remember
- Three loops in a single knot
- Can be tied in the middle of the rope where free ends are not available.
Cons
- Consume a large length of rope
- Not as stable as the normal Bowline
Other Similar Knots
Bowline on a Bight
The Bowline on a Bight is tied with the bight as well.
Instead of wrapping the bight around the standing end, it is passed through the loop and is tightened on the standing end.
It forms two fixed loops at the middle of the rope and is more secure than the Triple Bowline.
Double Bowline
The name Double Bowline may give an impression of the two-loop Bowline.
It’s tied on a single strand and forms a single loop with an additional nipping loop for extra security.
Other multi-loop Bowlines
- Spanish Bowline
- Portuguese Bowline
- Birmingham Bowline
Personally, I don’t use the Triple Bowline much. I’ve tried it a few times just for practice, and it’s fun to know. Keep in mind that it soaks up the entire rope length, and you’ve got to be careful about the loop slipping through.
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