Clove Hitch

The Clove Hitch is used to tie a line to a piling or bollard. This knot can be used to tie fenders to railing.

Although this knot is handy because of its simplicity, it should only be used to temporarily tie a boat to a piling, and only if the boat is being watched. The clove hitch can jam under heavy tension, making it difficult to untie. Worse, is its tendency to untie itself when subjected to repeated strain and release such as a boat rocking in waves. It can in fact suffer from the hitch unrolling under tension if the pole can turn. Despite these weaknesses the clove hitch is still ideal when temporarily tieing up at a fuel dock or for fenders. Use to attach a rope to a pole, this knot provide a quick and secure result. Often used to start and finish lashings.
With practice, this can be easily tied with one hand - especially useful for sailors!

Tip. A clove hitch tied to a pole may unroll, slip or spill! Because the clove hitch can be spilled by rotating the standing part against the crosspoint, the clove hitch will spill itself if it is tied so that standing part moves back and forth in such a way that it cause the loops of the knot to slide around the pole. To prevent the clove hitch from spilling, ‘stop’ it by tying two half hitches with the running end around the standing part.