The Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

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Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

The Essential Knot! A Round Turn and Two Half Hitches (ABOK # 1720, p 296) is ideal for attaching a mooring line to a dock post or ring. As the name suggests, it is composed of two important parts:

Round Turn: In fact the 'Round Turn' is really two turns, and these should take the initial strain while you complete the knot. This may be critical when handling a mooring line. An additional turn, or even two additional turns, should be added initially if you are handling a heavy load, e.g., with a large vessel or in a strong wind. These turns allow you to control the load while you add the:

Two Half Hitches. The two half hitches actually form a clove hitch round the standing end. It is not uncommon to see an additional one (or more!) half hitches - either to make the knot more secure or to use up any excess line.

Tying the Knot: Learn to tie the half hitches with one hand! This allows you to use the other hand to take the strain of a vessel which may easily pull with a force far greater than you could otherwise control. As emphasized above, when dealing with such force, use as many turns on the post as are necessary to control the strain.

Direction: Always tie the half hitches in the same 'direction'. If you start the first half hitch with the bitter end passing away from you above the rope, then do the same with the next (and the next).

Variation Using a Bight: When there is a long Bitter End, the Two Half Hitches can be tied using a bight (loop) instead of the end. This uses up excess rope which may otherwise hang in the way or require coiling.