Round Turn and Two Half-Hitches

Which is a Round Turn and Two Half-Hitches?

  • 1

    Votes: 52 71.2%

  • 2

    Votes: 2 2.7%

  • 3

    Votes: 15 20.5%

  • 4

    Votes: 4 5.5%

  • None of them

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    73
Martin_J said:
I still think the diagrams were suppsed to show a difference in 1 & 3 that they don't actually do.
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To be honest, I tied them about a dozen times, trying to do it differently each time. It was more difficult than I thought; I thought I had six, then saw duplicates.

Soon after posting I noticed that there was still a duplicate, then noticed the second! So it looks like it isn't as hard as I thought to get it right, just avoid the cow hitch (even though it looks better). However, I have at least one book that says this is correct.

My normal reference is ABOK, but I find the diagrams a bit hard to decipher.
 
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Can't say if i'm right or wrong but my guess would be 1 and 3, since to my eye one is just a flipped version of the other..
 
lustyd said:
Nerdy semantics aside, is there any difference to holding power?
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Yes the Cow hitch IMO is not as good, in the same way a Cow hitch tied to the middle of a bit of rope will slip easily, so will the cow hitch version above.

Where as the Clove hitch variety should be more secure..

Tieing them left handed or right handed probably once made a difference in the days of very experienced sailors and 3 strand rope...
Now days with braded ropes I for one would not know which is best.

PS I have only ever taught that there are only really 2 or 3 knots..

Round turn 2 half hitches is just a clove hitch tide differently.

Same with Bowline and Sheet Bend.

A reef knot if just a (properly tied) Bow with the ends pulled through.

And a figure of 8... Well you make a dollys head, strangle it, and poke its eye out.

Thats the basic knots covered :D
 
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lustyd said:
Lots of people. The RYA teach using a bowline around a cleat and then make off on the boat cleat with the 0800.
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I used to always use a bowline, but following a problem - undoing under load - I now insist on using a round turn and 2 half hitches which can be undone under load.

I heard that if you used a bowline in the navy for shore lines, you would be shot!
 
It never would be under load while untying though since you would undo at the boat end first. If you use a bowline at both ends then you're on your own!
 
Surely, if mooring to a bollard you would use a bowline, and if further vessels are moored to the bollard, the standing part of the warp should be passed up through the existing bowlines before tying the knot. This will allow any warp to be released from the bollard without disturbing other lines. :)

Incidentally, the cow hitch can be very useful. Short lengths of rope used for lashing can be tied to guardrails etc with a cow hitch and can be easily removed by just by grasping with the finger and thumb of one hand - thus leaving the other hand for holding a bundled sail etc. Try it! :D
 
lustyd said:
It never would be under load while untying though since you would undo at the boat end first. If you use a bowline at both ends then you're on your own!
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Not if you are on long stern to shore lines - they will be under quite a load.
Why use a knot that you cannot undo under load. Its when things go wrong that you need this.
 
I was taught to use a bowline, it looks more secure visually to me anyway.
I was also told to put 2 turns round the bollard to spread out potential wear in the rope.
 
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