Highwayman's Hitch :- Fender Knots Part 4

The Highwayman’s hitch is a quick-release draw hitch used for temporarily securing a load that will need to be released easily and cleanly. The hitch can be untied with a tug of the working end, even when under tension. The highwayman's hitch can be tied in the middle of a rope, the working end does not need to be passed around the anchor when tying or releasing which makes a fast release for your fenders. Simple pull lift then store them away.

The knot is three bights that each successively lock the previous one:-

1. The first one, in the middle of the rope, wraps around the pole, 
2. The second one (called the toggle bight) is a bight of the standing part locking the first one so the pole is held tight, and 
3. The third one (called the slip-tuck) is a bight of the working part (slack end) locking the second bight. 

The locking actions are achieved by reaching through each bight to pull the next one through. The knot has to be finished by pulling the standing part tight to ensure that it holds. Until the knot is tightened and properly dressed, the highwayman's hitch has little holding power. 

The highwayman's hitch is susceptible to capsizing when the pole is substantially larger than the rope diameter. The failure occurs because the second bight sees the force of the standing part, but is held in place by the working part, which has no tension. When capsizing, tension on the standing part pulls the second bight through the first bight. This drags the slip-tuck through, and will release the hitch if the third bight isn't long enough.

Thanks for stopping by to learn more about and how to tie the Highwayman's 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.