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That bit of string at the pointy end
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Philsy View Drop Down
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Posts: 344 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Philsy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: That bit of string at the pointy end
    Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 12:39pm
I was brought up to believe that the term 'painter' should only be used with
regard to rowing boats on inland lakes, and real sailors should call it a 'bow
line' (to go with the stern line). In much the same way, the front of the boat
is always a 'bow' never a 'prow'

However, now my daughter is learning to sail and the word painter is being
bandied about by her instructor and in books.

So, is painter an acceptable term and have I been misled all these years?

Cheers

Phil
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feva_sailor View Drop Down
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Posts: 767 		Post Options Post Options   Quote feva_sailor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 12:54pm
does it matter?
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Philsy View Drop Down
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Posts: 344 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Philsy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 1:12pm
Originally posted by feva_sailor

does it matter?


Do most things matter in the great scheme of things?

Maybe not, but I'm interested.

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jeffers View Drop Down
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 1:28pm
It is always referred to as a painter and occasionally bow line at my club.

I believe NOR for some classes state that a painter of at least 6m must be permanently attached to the boat. Other classes just state that you must have 6 or 8m of rope available for 'immediate use'.

Bow line is probably nautically correct but painter is the common name...
Paul
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Ellie View Drop Down
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Posts: 198 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Ellie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 1:29pm

i never did the RYA thing but when i was little the rope on our mirror was refered to as the painted then on the little yacht as the bow line etc...maybe its size related  

i havn't used a painter/bow line/ pointy end rope thingy ma bobs in years...those were the days u could just tie up ur boat and grab a cuppa between races, none of this rolling sails malarcy! a

anyhoo feva kiddywink i know ur keen but alot of what u say is less intresting than this soooo.... sorry chuck.
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Black no sugar View Drop Down
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Posts: 3941 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Black no sugar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 1:32pm
Now, another less-than-interesting question: why is it called a "painter"? Is it because that's the only thing you can hang on to when repainting the hull on a big yacht? (Tarzan-like brushmarks   )
Does anyone nkow?
Lancing SC
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Philsy View Drop Down
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Posts: 344 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Philsy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 1:40pm
Originally posted by Black no sugar

Now, another less-than-interesting question: why
is it called a "painter"? Is it because that's the only thing you can hang on to
when repainting the hull on a big yacht? (Tarzan-like brushmarks   )
Does anyone nkow?


Ah, but on grown-up boats like that it's always called a bow line...
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Philsy View Drop Down
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Posts: 344 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Philsy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 3:52pm
Thanks James, that makes sense. I'd add that a painter is permanently
attached to the boat's bow, whereas a bow line is stored in a locker and only
attached when required.

Phil
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MikeBz View Drop Down
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Posts: 536 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MikeBz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 4:13pm

Originally posted by turnturtle

A 'warp' is a rope permanently attached to the jetty, not originating from the vessell in question.

Really?  It used to be common practice to stream warps astern of a yacht when running under bare poles in survival conditions (to keep the speed down).

Mike
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 06 at 4:43pm

Maybe they only became warps when used for that purpose. they might have been called something different till they hit the water...

Is it any wonder that outsiders look into the world of sailing and see an elitist bunch with a stupid name for everything? Why is the sheet not the big flat white thing that goes on the mast? Why do you rarely hear the word "rope" used when the boat is covered in them?Why is Gunwale pronounced "gunnel" (not that it isn't spelt that way round here anyway!) and why is it called that anyway?  I've been sailing for over 30 years and still get confused.

As for painters and bow lines, why does the knot change its pronounciation? It will always be a painter to me, but then I'm not a big boat sailor.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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