Any sailing or otherwise Boaty type Damsels?

[redhed]

Couple of quick and entirely random type questions (random, even for me!)

1) how long do oileys last? Before they aren't waterproof any more? I'd test it by getting in the shower but the ancient oileys are in Surrey and i (and the jacket I want to buy) is in Wales.

2) if you claim you can tile a bowline with one hand, are you allowed to use your teeth at the end? I can tie one behind my back, always have, but have only just tried one-handed tonight in an idle moment. It's absolutely simples if you are allowed to tighten it with your teeth at the end, otherwise it's a bit of an amorphous blob. Are Teeth Cheating?

[Islander]

Not a boaty Damsel, more of a climbey one -

Q 1. Not a clue. More a goretex gal.

Q 2. Use the teeth. Essential when climbing so I'd imagine it's the same with sailing. BTW I've never used a bowline, fig of 8 is more my area of expertise as it's more obvious if you bugger it up (it doesn't look like an 8). You've set me thinking now, I can't remember so many knots I used to tie with ease - alpine butterfly, klemheist anyone?

D x

[Tekkencat]

i'll check with DD when she gets up in the morning

[Mrs B]

Years and yes.

[fifitrix]

Years and yes.

WSS! Also you have to be about to sink in a choppy sea and surrounded by sharks

I used to be able to do it but I have a feeling these days I would achieve less precision and just do some random hitchy-twisty-failure-of-a-knot

[redhed]

Current oileys are a bit over 20 years old and been in a box in the loft for 10. So we're definitely talking years.

Mrs B is that "yes you can use your teeth" or "yes, teeth is cheating" ???

[Dr Spouse]

I will join you all in the experimental bowline tying as I'm supposed to be making some camp gadgets at some point in the near future.

However I was going to test out my knotting skills with licquorice shoe laces so will probably have to use both hands since biting it might have a slightly different effect.

[redhed]

I have been using my phone charger cord. And biting it very very gently. I used to have a random bit of rope for tying knots but I suspect it's in the same box in the loft in Surrey as all the other sailing stuff.

[Mrs B]

Mrs B is that "yes you can use your teeth"

This. But be gentle;)

[Queenie]

I don't know about knots (there's no point in marrying a fisherman and fiddling with ropes yourself!), but even Mr Q's oilies lasted years, and that's with fishing in the North Atlantic.