Improved Floor Lashing

With this improved, or double, floor lashing, the floor spars (floor slats, decking poles) are attached (looped) in two places, on either side to each platform support (stringer pole, rafter). This means, when pulled tight, this lashing makes the platform floor, raft, deck, or walkway, twice as secure.

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a) A clove hitch is tied around the platform support. (Wrap the end around the standing part of the rope.) Make a bight in the running end and pass it over the first floor spar on the inside of the platform support.

b) Grab this bight and pass it underneath the platform support.

c) Next loop it over the first floor spar on the outside of the platform support.

d) Tighten both loops around the first floor spar by pulling the running end extending between the first and second floor spars on top of the platform floor. 

e) Repeat this process for each floor spar until you reach the other end.

f) When you reach the other end, secure the running end of the rope to that end of the platform support with a tight clove hitch (not shown in the photos).

Throughout the whole Improved Floor Lashing process, except when pulling the running end to tighten the loops around each floor spar (or securing the end of the rope to the platform support), you’re always working with a bight (bite) in the rope.

The above photos illustrate this simple floor lashing process once you get it going. Reaching the "lashing destination" (arriving at the other end of the platform support and lashing on the final floor spar) is not illustrated, It's simply a matter of finishing up by securing the running end to the platform support with a clove hitch.

The whole process can be done simultaneously on the other side, on the other platform support, or completed one  platform support at a time.