Use the wrong knot when you go sailing and it could slip or untie itself (called "spilling"). That makes your sailing experience a nightmare instead of a joy.

And that's just what you don't want to happen. Choose the best sailing knot to use based on the job at hand. Use these three sailing tips for easier, safer sailing anywhere in the world.

1. Keep Boat Fenders in Place

When I was crewing on my last trip, we needed to get the fenders hung over the side to keep them from moving. That way, they would protect the hull to keep it from getting scarred and chipped.

Most people may want to use the clove hitch for this. But the clove hitch has a nasty habit of slipping and comes undone unless you keep it under constant tension. So, in this case we used the rolling hitch. No more slipping, and no fear of untying. Problem solved!

2. Make a Single-Piece Genoa Sheet Line

Use a Larks Head for your Genoa sheets. It takes up less room than two bowlines and reduces chafe. The illustration shows the knot loose for clarity. Cinch up the knot tight against the clew for super security.

I sailed on a nice, new Outbound 46 recently (a bit larger than the Outbound 44 that we sailed to the Caribbean), and the skipper was super specific about how he wanted the Genoa sheets tied onto the clew of the Genoa.

Now, you may think he wanted a couple of bowlines in two separate sheets--but no way!

A larks head was the only knot that would work.

Matter of fact, on all the boats I've owned, from the O'Day Javelin to a Cape Dory 27, I have tied my headsail sheets just like this.

Simple as you please and you only need one single line!

No need to worry about big, bulky bowline knots jamming on your shrouds or hatches. You have one neat, compact, single line that will work better than two bowlines any day of the week! Follow these easy steps:

- Make a single, long line as long as separate jib sheets.
- Find the center of the line and form a 6" loop.
- Push the loop through the Genoa clew ring.
- Thread both bitter ends through the loop.
- Pull both ends through to the end. Remove all slack.

3. Tame a Flogging Mainsail Fast!

Need to get a flogging, flapping mainsail down in a hurry? You need to know how to tie off those sail ties so that they contain the sail, but at the same time, are easy to untie. Use a reef knot to solve this problem quick and easy.

Tie a common square knot, but end it with a loop in the bitter end. The square knot contains the sail and the loop means you just have to yank on the bitter end to untie the knot fast. That way, if you need to hoist the sail, you can get it ready in a matter of seconds.

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Put some of these little-known insider sailing knot secrets into play on your small cruising sailboat today. They will make your sailing easier and more enjoyable--wherever in the word you choose to cruise!