QM-6 QuartermasterMarlinspike Instructors: George Crowl

QM-6QM-6

QuartermasterQuartermasterMarlinspikeMarlinspike

Instructors: George Crowl

Course OutlineCourse Outline66a. Teach the Apprentice, Ordinary, and a. Teach the Apprentice, Ordinary, and

Able marlinspike seamanship Able marlinspike seamanship requirements to a crew.requirements to a crew.

6b. Make an eye splice in double-6b. Make an eye splice in double-braided line.braided line.

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66a. Teach the Apprentice, Ordinary, and a. Teach the Apprentice, Ordinary, and Able marlinspike seamanship Able marlinspike seamanship requirements to a crew.requirements to a crew.

BackgroundBackgroundTeach each set of requirements separatelyTeach each set of requirements separately If you taught Apprentice knots when you were If you taught Apprentice knots when you were

an Ordinary, you may be able to count that.an Ordinary, you may be able to count that.You don't have to be Able to pass any part or all You don't have to be Able to pass any part or all

of this requirementof this requirementYou don't have to do it over a short time, you You don't have to do it over a short time, you

can spread it out over months or yearscan spread it out over months or years

Equipment NeededEquipment Needed1/4” line, large line 1/2”plus1/4” line, large line 1/2”plusCleatCleatA labeled knot board would be usefulA labeled knot board would be usefulLesson plans for APP-6, ORD-6, ABL-6 (as Lesson plans for APP-6, ORD-6, ABL-6 (as

desired)desired)SSM DVD of knot tying (as desired)SSM DVD of knot tying (as desired)Whipping cord, needle, 3-strand sisal, canvas or Whipping cord, needle, 3-strand sisal, canvas or

sail fabric, various ropes, fire lighter, palm & sail fabric, various ropes, fire lighter, palm & needle, blocks, fid needle, blocks, fid

Teaching EDGETeaching EDGELacks two things – objectives, motivationLacks two things – objectives, motivationYou have to supply bothYou have to supply bothObjectives – simply put – the requirementsObjectives – simply put – the requirementsMotivation – why should a Sea Scout want to Motivation – why should a Sea Scout want to

pass an advancement requirement?pass an advancement requirement?YOU have to provide the motivation – how it will YOU have to provide the motivation – how it will

be used, it may be fun to do, whatever will be used, it may be fun to do, whatever will persuade the Scout to do itpersuade the Scout to do it

Give a pre-test? You may be able to sign them Give a pre-test? You may be able to sign them off as complete with part or all of itoff as complete with part or all of it

Teaching EDGE (2)Teaching EDGE (2)Four main stepsFour main steps ExplainExplain DemonstrateDemonstrate GuideGuide EnableEnable

ExplainExplainNeed a knot to hold a sail on the boom, or to reef Need a knot to hold a sail on the boom, or to reef

the sailthe sailNeeds to be simple and quick to tieNeeds to be simple and quick to tieWill hold a strain, can be untied easilyWill hold a strain, can be untied easilyWe use reefing ties or short ropes on the boatWe use reefing ties or short ropes on the boatWe call the knot the We call the knot the squaresquare or or reefreef knot knot

DemonstrateDemonstrateShow “right over left, left over right”Show “right over left, left over right”Make sure Scouts can see your handsMake sure Scouts can see your handsUse big ropesUse big ropesUse two different colorsUse two different colors Illustrations from SSM, SSPRIllustrations from SSM, SSPRVideos from the InternetVideos from the Internet

GuideGuideEveryone tie “right over left,” check itEveryone tie “right over left,” check itEveryone tie “left over right,” check itEveryone tie “left over right,” check itPull knot tight, check it holdsPull knot tight, check it holdsCheck for symmetry, each rope parallel to itselfCheck for symmetry, each rope parallel to itselfUntie the knot, show it is easyUntie the knot, show it is easy Teach upsetting a square knot if desiredTeach upsetting a square knot if desiredRe-tie the knot at least five times correctlyRe-tie the knot at least five times correctlyChange the rope diameter to something a lot Change the rope diameter to something a lot

larger or smallerlarger or smaller

EnableEnableHave the Scouts tie the knot on the sails of a Have the Scouts tie the knot on the sails of a

boatboatWhere else can they use a square (reef) knot?Where else can they use a square (reef) knot?

HINT: the shoe knot is a square knot leaving the HINT: the shoe knot is a square knot leaving the ends long enough to form loops and catch in the ends long enough to form loops and catch in the knot. If the loops are vertical instead of across knot. If the loops are vertical instead of across the shoe, it is a granny bow, and that is why they the shoe, it is a granny bow, and that is why they come undone!come undone!

When do You Pass the Scout?When do You Pass the Scout?Policies vary between shipsPolicies vary between shipsAuthor's opinion: knots are not ready to be Author's opinion: knots are not ready to be

passed until the Scout can pass them without passed until the Scout can pass them without help about a month after they have been help about a month after they have been instructed. This is a psychomotor skill that instructed. This is a psychomotor skill that needs regular practice to master.needs regular practice to master.

Other skills, perhaps rowing, can be Other skills, perhaps rowing, can be demonstrated by the Scout and passed demonstrated by the Scout and passed immediatelyimmediately

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6b. Make an eye splice in double-braided 6b. Make an eye splice in double-braided line.line.

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Describe Describe

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AnchoringAnchoring1. Prepare in advance1. Prepare in advance

Questions?Questions?