The bowline knot is one of the most used knots in sailing. The bowline knot creates a loop at the end of a rope which is strong yet easy to untie. The loop created by the bowline can be cleated to a boat or dock or the loop can be thrown over or tied around a docking post.
There is a little story that goes along with the bowline knot to help you learn how to tie it: Make a hole using the rope – the rabbit (tail end of the rope) comes up out of it’s hole – runs around the tree (long end of the rope) – and then runs back down into its hole.