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Old 20-07-2009, 05:18   #1
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Dock Knot

When securing a dock line to a post(sp) which is the best knot to retain the lines strength?
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Old 20-07-2009, 05:31   #2
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clove hitch
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Old 20-07-2009, 05:46   #3
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clove hitch
It is critical to secure it with a half hitch.
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Old 20-07-2009, 06:10   #4
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Another alternative is the Constrictor knot. Essentially a Clove Hitch on steroids. Have a look.

The Constrictor Knot
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Old 20-07-2009, 07:32   #5
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full turn with two half hitches
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Old 20-07-2009, 07:44   #6
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Another alternative is the Constrictor knot. Essentially a Clove Hitch on steroids. Have a look.

The Constrictor Knot

From the link you provided:
" it binds so that it can be almost impossible to untie"

I don't think I like that idea.

This web link is also not a fan of the clove hitch or clove hitch with a backing hitch, the first comes loose, the second binds. He gives a list of his recommended mooring knots near the bottom of the page.
The Clove Hitch




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Old 20-07-2009, 15:08   #7
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Clove hitch with a pair of half hitches. In the very rare instance of the clove hitch failing and the half hitches bind (this has NEVER happened), I'll use a knife.
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Old 20-07-2009, 16:02   #8
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I was taught as Noreault proposed, but a lakesuperior's clovehitch with atleast one and bstreep two half hitches would work well too.
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Old 20-07-2009, 16:39   #9
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The only way to attach to a post is the round turn and two half hitches. The round turn takes all the strain and the half hitches just stop the rope falling off. It can be untied under load and the direction of pull is irrelevant to its grip.

The clove hitch on the othe hand will only hold when the strain is in the one direction otherwise it will pull out very easily. Try it.

The constrictor knot is a permenant clove hitch more useful in lashings.

There are other knots which will work but I always vote for the simplest option. Easy to tie and untie.
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Old 20-07-2009, 16:45   #10
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Two round turns with a rolling hitch. (no round turns shown here)
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Old 20-07-2009, 17:14   #11
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I thought the second turn on the rolling hitch was supposed to go over the first turn.
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Old 20-07-2009, 17:20   #12
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On a wood 10 inch pylon a clove hitch is golden. On metal I would add the half hitches after you tie the clove hitch. Many of the olden days knots don't hold near as well with high tech fibers. The bunt line hitch is a good example.
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Old 20-07-2009, 17:39   #13
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On a wood 10 inch pylon a clove hitch is golden. On metal I would add the half hitches after you tie the clove hitch. Many of the olden days knots don't hold near as well with high tech fibers. The bunt line hitch is a good example.
Some sailing magazine had an article saying the bunt line hitch was the way to tie up your boat. One of the guys in our club bought into it. After a week of bouncing, and we have fairly well protected docks, those knots were a pain to untie. He was a firm believer and kept using it though.

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Old 20-07-2009, 18:13   #14
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Most of the braids will do fine, but some of the high tech ropes won't do so well and it can effect how you use them. The fibers are too slippery if you consider the old sisal and hemp fiber ropes. Clove hitch is mostly friction so surface area matters more than anything else. On a larger post it always holds. My permanent dock lines on the outer pylons are double clove hitches. I'm not that confident either so I used two. Total nightmare to get them off. In a transient slip I only use one. These are 5/8 double braid lines.
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Old 20-07-2009, 18:16   #15
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Sorry, forgot half hitch.
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