Page 44 - Frank Rosenow "Seagoing Knots"

Seeing that the clove hitch has to be supported when used as anything
but a temporary docking tie, we turn again to half hitches on the standing
part. Used by themselves, they too are best around a ring or similar slim

object. They tie well in this way but there is a threat of them jamming hard
if any great strain is placed on the line. Moreover, when tied to a flogging
jib clew, the half hitches tend to come undone.
Rather than prefacing them with a clove hitch, you can start with a
round turn or backhanded hitch around the object or through the ring. Of
these, the backhanded hitch in particular secures against jamming, and
both give the line some initial haft which greatly improves the chances of
the succeeding half hitches to survive high wind and water.

R/\C R A A Hi r A A

• with two half uvtcHes-

ROUND TURN

- AL50 HALF HVTCHED
QM THE Ph&T

The round turn has the added advantage of taking up strain on the line

as soon as it is passed through and can also be used to slack off under full
control when there is a strong pull on the rope.
Yet, faced with a bollard that dwarfs my mooring line, I would still revert
to the religion of Uncle Emil.

SEAGOING KNOTS