When tuning the Boatswains pipe, which knot can be used on the bowl?

• A. Bowline
• B. Clove Hitch
• C. Square Knot
• D. Reef Knot

Answer: (A)

When you need to secure a line to the bowl of the boatswain’s pipe, you want a knot that creates a stable loop around a curved surface and stays put under tension while still being easy to untie. The bowline fits best because it forms a fixed loop at the end of a rope that can go around the bowl and grip reliably without slipping. It holds under load but remains easy to loosen when you’re ready to remove it.

The other knots aren’t as well suited for this task. A clove hitch is great for attaching to a post, but on a smooth, rounded bowl it can slip or loosen. The reef knot (square knot) is meant for joining two rope ends, not for securing a loop around a single object, and it can slip or jam under uneven tension.