Clove Hitch :- Fender Knots Part 2

The clove hitch Along with the bowline and the sheet bend, it is often considered one of the most important knots to know. A clove hitch is two successive half-hitches around an object. It is most effectively used as a crossing knot. It can be used as a binding knot, but is not particularly secure in that role (we prefer the constrictor knot for these use cases). A clove hitch made around the rope's own standing part is known as either two half-hitches or buntline hitch, depending on whether the turns of the clove hitch progress away from or towards the hitched object.

The Clove Hitch is the simplest and most effective knot for securing your fenders to the safety line on the side of you boat or yatch. It can be tied in seconds, is relatively easy to undo which makes it simple enough to adjust the hight as you approach the marina or to remove once you are on you way again.

There are other fenders knot that are easier to untie, we would only recommend these for short stays or when you a remaining on the boat while docked. If you will be leaving your boat for an extended period of time the Round Turn with two Half Hitches another option to consider.

If you want to learn some other skills for docking your boat why not check out our video which compares the Cleat Hitch V OXO for tying your mooring lines to fixed cleats.

Thanks for stopping by to learn more about and how to tie the clove hitch, if you like this demo we have plenty more useful how to content on this site and on our Youtube channel. If you want to be alerted as we release more sailing content click here to subscribe to the bottom up boats "Crew" and get the bell on to receive notifications as we share more videos.