Boating Knots

Anchor Hitch Attach a line to an anchor, ring or post. Ashley Stopper Knot A bulky, secure stopper at the end of a rope. Becket Hitch Attach a rope to a fixed eye or loop. Boom Hitch Secure rope to a spar with parallel or right-angle strain. Bowline Relatively secure fixed loop at the end of a rope. Bowline on a Bight Secure double loop in the middle of a rope. Broach Bend Join two ropes with a compact, non-jamming bend. Bull Hitch (Bight) Securely attach a rope to a post, spar, or ring. Bull Hitch (End) Securely attach a rope to a spar, post or ring. Buntline Hitch Secure and compact hitch. Capuchin Provide weight to a rope end for throwing over distance. Carrick Bend Securely join large, stiff rope or cable. Cleat Hitch Secure a rope to a cleat on a dock or boat. Clove Hitch Secure a rope to a post or spar. Clove Hitch on a Bight Attach a rope to a post without access to ends. Cowboy Bowline Fixed loop Bowline variant with outward facing tail. Double Dragon Strong, fixed, end-of-rope loop that is quick and easy to tie. Double Overhand Knot Reliable, bulky stopper knot at the end of a rope. Double Sheet Bend Securely join two ropes of different diameters or materials. Double Simon (Over) Join two ropes that are somewhat dissimilar in diameter or construction. Double Simon (Under) Join two ropes that are somewhat dissimilar in diameter or construction. Estar Stopper Knot Bulky stopper knot for standard and high-modulus rope. Figure Eight Simple stopper knot preventing rope from slipping through belay device or hole. Flemish Flake Rope coil in a flat spiral for neat, temporary storage on docks. Gasket Coil Neatly store rope or cords, preventing tangles for easy handling. Ground-line Hitch Securely attach a rope to a spar, stanchion or larger rope. Halyard Hitch Securely attach a rope to a shackle or ring for hoisting. Heaving Line Knot Provide weight to a rope end for throwing over distance. Highwayman's Hitch Quick-release knot for temporarily securing a boat or animal to a rail. Icicle Hitch Slide and grip knot for securely attaching rope to smooth or tapered objects. Jury Mast Knot Decorative three-loop knot, basis for a mat. Lighterman's Hitch Quick, temporary means of mooring a small watercraft to a bollard. Marlinspike Hitch A secure temporary hitch employing a quick-release toggle. Midshipman's Hitch Adjustable friction hitch for use on lines under tension. Mooring Hitch Quick-release knot for temporarily mooring a boat or securing an animal to a post. Multiple Overhand Knot Stopper knot with extra turns for added bulk or for decoration. Pedigree Cow Hitch More secure variant of the Cow Hitch. Pile Hitch Quick way to secure a boat to a dock post. Racking Bend join two ropes of different diameter. Rolling Hitch Simple friction hitch used for lengthwise pull along an object. Round Turn & Two Half Hitches Secure knot for tying a rope to a post or ring. Running Bowline Noose for securing or retrieving objects in sailing and tree-work. Sailor's Coil Neatly coil and secure rope for storage. Scaffold Knot Secure knot for binding a rope to carabiners or shackles. Shake Hands Bend Jam-resistant, compact way to connect two ropes. Sheet Bend Securely join ropes of different or similar size. Simple Simon (Over) Join two ropes, especially slippery synthetic cordage. Simple Simon (Under) Join ropes of different diameter, especially synthetics. Slipped Buntline Hitch Secure and compact hitch with quick release. Slipped Clove Hitch Quick release, temporary attachment. Snap Bowline Quick to tie, Relatively secure fixed loop. Snuggle Hitch A secure hitch under variable tension, for use with natural or synthetic ropes. Square Knot Simple binding knot for securing objects, not suitable for joining two ropes. Stevedore's Knot A medium size stopper knot used to prevent a rope from slipping through a pulley. Three-way Sheet Bend Securely join three ropes of different or similar size. Triple Sheet Bend Securely join two ropes of different diameters or materials. Tucked Sheet Bend Securely join ropes of different or similar size. Water Bowline Secure Bowline variant for use in wet conditions without jamming.