How to Tie a Clove Hitch

A clove hitch is a simple knot sailors use for tying up to a mooring or for securing fenders to a rail or stanchions. Although not the strongest knot, it is simple and quick to tie and you can make it more secure by keeping a longer working end.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Rope
• Line
• Mooring ring
• Fender line
• Stanchion

1. Make a turn around a post, bringing the bitter end over the standing end.
2. Cross the bitter end over the standing end, then wrap around the post a second time.
3. Bring the bitter end under the standing end and pull tight.

Tips & Warnings

• The bitter end is the end of the line you actually move, while the standing end is the part that is attached to a fender or some other object or simply the part of line you don’t move.