Stringing Boat Shoes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Boat shoes are a type of footwear specialised for use on boats, with rubber soles that ensure good traction on wet surfaces. They are typically made of leather or canvas, which makes them resistant to water. However, their distinctive design also makes them notoriously difficult to tie. This is mainly due to their leather shoelaces, which require specific types of knots to be secure. There are several ways to tie boat shoes, including the barrel knot, tassel knot, chain knot, surgeon's knot, and fishtail.

How to tie a barrel knot

To tie a barrel knot, follow these steps:

Step 1: Begin by folding one lace of your boat shoe over itself to create a loop. Make sure you leave around a 3 to 4-inch tail at the end. This forms the base of your knot.

Step 2: Hold the loop securely between your thumb and index finger. Use your other hand to tightly twist the loop several times. This creates the tight, secure foundation of the knot.

Step 3: Keep holding the loop with one hand. With your other hand, carefully wrap the remaining tail around the loop, going from the bottom to the top. Do this around five times to create a strong, tight coil.

Step 4: Now, take the end of the lace and push it through the loop. Pull the lace tightly while also pushing the knot towards the shoe. This will help secure the knot in place and ensure it doesn't slip.

Step 5: Repeat the process with the other lace, creating a matching barrel knot.

Step 6: Finally, use a sharp pair of scissors to trim any excess leather lace, giving it a neat and tidy finish.

The barrel knot is one of several ways to securely tie your boat shoes, ensuring they won't come undone and providing a neat, clean look to your laces.

How to tie a tassel knot

Tying a tassel knot on your boat shoes will ensure they are secure and you won't have to worry about them coming loose. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a tassel knot:

Step 1: Cross the laces to form an "X" by placing the left lace on top of the right, then bring the left lace under the right and pull them tight.

Step 2: Create a square knot by taking the left lace in your left hand and the right lace in your right, then bring the right lace under and over the left lace, and then bring the left lace under and over the right, pulling tight to secure.

Step 3: Form a loop with the left lace by folding it over itself, creating a 1-inch loop at the base of the square knot. Hold the base of this loop between your thumb and index finger.

Step 4: With your other hand, wrap the remaining lace tightly around the loop 2-3 times.

Step 5: Thread the end of the lace into the loop and pull tight.

Step 6: Repeat the process on the right lace to create a matching tassel.

Step 7: Trim any excess lace if needed.

This decorative knot will ensure your boat shoes are secure and you won't have to worry about them coming untied. It may take a little practice to perfect the tassel knot, but it's a great way to keep your boat shoes snug and stylish.

How to tie a chain knot

To tie a chain knot, follow these steps:

Step 1: Take the left lace in one hand and create a 1/2-inch loop in the middle of the lace with your other hand. Hold this loop with your left hand.

Step 2: With the same lace, make a second 1/2-inch loop and insert it into the first loop. Pull on the second loop to tighten it.

Step 3: Repeat Step 2, creating another loop and inserting it into the second loop. You can repeat this step as many times as you like, depending on the length of the lace.

Step 4: Keep the final loop in one hand and thread the end of the lace through the final loop with your other hand. Pull the lace to tighten the knot.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 1-4 with the right lace to create a chain knot on the other side.

Step 6: Pull the left chain to the right and tuck the end of the left lace into your shoe. Repeat this step with the right chain, ensuring that it sits above the left chain.

The chain knot is a secure way to tie your boat shoes, providing enough tension to keep them from slipping off while allowing for easy adjustment.

How to tie a surgeon's knot

To tie a secure surgeon's knot for your boat shoes, follow these steps:

• Make a cross with the left lace over the right lace and pull both laces tight.
• Fold the left lace (now on the right side of the shoe) over itself to create a 1-inch loop. Place the base of the loop next to the starting knot.
• Use the right lace (now on the left side) to make a circle around the base of the loop.
• Continue to use the remaining part of the right lace to create another loop. Put the top of this new loop into the circle you created and pull tight.
• Make the right loop wrap around the left loop and insert it into the circle again.
• Pull both loops tightly.

This surgeon's knot, along with other methods like the barrel knot, tassel knot, chain knot, and fishtail, will ensure your boat shoes are securely tied, contributing to your safety on the boat by preventing you from falling overboard.

How to tie a fishtail knot

To tie a fishtail knot, follow these steps:

Firstly, thread the left shoelace through the left eyelets in a vertical direction. Do the same with the right shoelace. The result will be that the laces are parallel to each other and are visible between the two eyelets.

Next, make an "X" by crossing the left lace over the right lace and pulling the ends of the laces towards the tip of the shoe.

Now, thread the left lace into the right parallel line and pull it tight. Repeat this process with the right lace, threading it into the left parallel line and pulling it tight.

Pull both laces up and insert them into the opposite parallel lines three times each.

Finally, tuck the ends of both laces into the shoes.

To complete the fishtail braid, secure it with a clear rubber band or a hair tie in a matching colour.

Frequently asked questions