Free 3D training
Skill drills
Free interactive 3D drills that teach boating knots one decision at a time. Choose wrong and you watch what happens, safely, before it can happen for real.
- Free
- No signup
- Interactive 3D
- 4 techniques
4 techniques
Boating knots
Tie the knots every boater uses, in 3D and one step at a time: the cleat hitch for the dock, the clove hitch for a piling, a round turn and two half hitches for a line under load, and the bowline for a fixed loop. Choose wrong and you watch the line come free.
Start hereCleat hitchThe knot for tying up at a dock: a turn round the base of the cleat, a figure eight over the horns, and a locking hitch to finish.4 steps
Technique 2Clove hitchTwo turns round a piling or rail with the end tucked under the crossing: the quick way to make a line fast to a post for a short time.5 steps
Technique 3Round turn and two half hitchesTwo turns round a post, piling, rail or ring, then two half hitches round the standing part: a secure tie that can be started while the line is already pulling.4 steps
Technique 4BowlineA fixed loop in the end of a line that will not slip or jam and unties easily, even after a heavy load. Here, dropped over a piling.5 steps
Watch & learn
Skills on video
Picked from our video library. These are other creators' videos, so where one differs from the drill, the drill's sourced steps are the ones to follow.
How to Tie a Cleat Hitch Knot | BoatUS
BoatUS
0Know Your Knots: Clove Hitch | BoatUS
BoatUS
0Master Boating with These 3 Essential Knots!
Live2Boat
04 Essential Boating Knots
BoatBuy
0How to Tie a Clove Hitch Knot | BoatUS
BoatUS
0The ONE KNOT Every Boater MUST KNOW | Learn To Tie It Easy Then Fast
JetBoatPilot
0
How it works
How a drill works
One decision at a time
Each technique is a short run of steps. Pick an answer, or tap to do the step, and the 3D scene moves on with you.
Wrong choices play out
Choose wrong and the scene shows what would happen, then explains why. Try the step again until it makes sense.
Every step is sourced
Each instruction cites the makers, agencies and guides it comes from, and the full written steps sit under every drill.
A drill is practice, not certification. Learn any skill hands-on from someone experienced before you rely on it.
