Posted by Hughman on August 19, 2003 at 03:10:05 from 63.163.41.223 user Hughman.
In Reply to: Re: How were square sails furled? posted by Alan Gardner on August 16, 2003 at 19:10:38:
Buntlines are tied to the foot of the sail with a buntline hitch, to a spliced loop in the boltrope (dare I name the splice?)
This applies to 19C. and earlier square sails- the big barques of the 20C. used mechanical advantage in various configurations.
Another line and knot on a square sail would be a line tied to the leach of the sail is known as a bowline, which is hauled taut from the weather edge of the sail to the bow to steady the leading edge. This line is tied with a bowline knot.