Round turn and two half hitches
Makes rope fast to a ring, post or rail, and can be tied while the line is under load.
- Use
- Boat and kayak
- Lines
- Rope
- Difficulty
- Easy
White: the standing part. Orange: the end you work with. Mirror flips the drawing for tying left-handed.
Steps
Take the end round the ring or post, and round again, so two full turns sit on it: the round turn.
Bring the end over the standing part and back under it, through the gap next to the turns: the first half hitch.
Tie a second half hitch the same way round, a little further along the standing part.
Slide both hitches up snug against the turns.
Tips
- Tie both half hitches the same way round.
- Never rely on a single half hitch.
Sources
Each step was checked against these written guides:
- Practical Boat Owner, 7 sailing knots every boater should know
- SAIL magazine, 7 essential knots for sailors
- Scout Life, How to tie the 7 basic Scout knots
Drawings and animation by Fishwake. We give no breaking-strength figures: published numbers differ with the line and the test.
