You're correct that the two half hitches is handy if you need to
release it under load, but there are a limited number of times you
need that. Traditionally, when two half hitches is used in
"permanent" rigging aloft it is seized to insure it won't come loose.

When you say you take "two or three turns" before tying you are
actually describing two different knots - either the "round turn and
two half hitches" or the "rolling hitch." As I said, there are
variants that are superior. I think you agree with me, but didn't
realize these are considered different knots.


Garland Gray II wrote:
You are welcome to your opinion, but I think that is a rediculous statement.
A granny knot is clearly a knot done in error, but two half hitches can be a
very handy knot if a line needs to be tied or released while under a load.
I usually tie the half hitches after two or three turns around the piling.

"Jeff" wrote in message
...

Two half hitches is an almost useless knot. There are variants that
are vastly superior, but two half hitches by itself is about as useful
as a granny.

Garland Gray II wrote:

I'd put two half hitches on that list, right behind the bowline

"MMC" wrote in message
.com...


I agree with advocates of the bowline for the following reasons: 1) it

will


not come untied until you want it to, 2) when you want it to- you can

untie


it, and 3) it devalues the breaking strain of the line less than other
knots. In this I mean that if a line is put under heavy strain, it will
break at the knot before it reaches it's stated breaking point because

of

the bends required to form the knot will break first.
I'm a firm believer that a boater only needs 3 knots; bowline, clove

hitch,


and square; along with a good idea of when to use each and the ability

to

do


so quickly.
MMC (Navy coxswain, Navy and commercial diver, sailor, and all around

nosey


*******)

"Steven Shelikoff" wrote in message
m...


On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 11:36:43 -0700, "Gordon"

wrote:


What's the best knot for attaching the sheets to the jib? Gotta be
something better than the "pesky wabbit around the tree and down the

hole"


knot.

Are you really having trouble making a bowline? Sure, you can use

other

knots to tie sheets to the jib. But they're going to be just as

"pesky"

and if you're a sailor, you should know how to make a bowline quickly
anyway.

Steve