I'm a boating newbie. When tying docklines to a pier with pilings,
what's the best way when you have a significant excess length to the
line, i.e. without having to use the end? I've used clove hitch esp.
if temporary and non-critical, two half-hitches, bowline, and others,
but they all require running the bitter end through and through,
pulling the excess length through. What's a secure knot in order to
avoid this problem? I wouldn't mind a general discussion of favorite
knots to secure to a piling, too, even if it involves using the end!

Mitch

On 14 Jun 2004 10:30:00 -0700, (Mitchell Gossman) wrote:

I'm a boating newbie. When tying docklines to a pier with pilings,
what's the best way when you have a significant excess length to the
line, i.e. without having to use the end? I've used clove hitch esp.
if temporary and non-critical, two half-hitches, bowline, and others,
but they all require running the bitter end through and through,
pulling the excess length through. What's a secure knot in order to
avoid this problem? I wouldn't mind a general discussion of favorite
knots to secure to a piling, too, even if it involves using the end!

Mitch

I use this one:

http://www.troop7.org/Knots/Clove.html

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

Mitchell Gossman wrote:
I'm a boating newbie. When tying docklines to a pier with pilings,
what's the best way when you have a significant excess length to the
line, i.e. without having to use the end? I've used clove hitch esp.
if temporary and non-critical, two half-hitches, bowline, and others,
but they all require running the bitter end through and through,
pulling the excess length through. What's a secure knot in order to
avoid this problem? I wouldn't mind a general discussion of favorite
knots to secure to a piling, too, even if it involves using the end!

What we do is use a spliced eye in the line to form a sliding loop. Put
that over the piling, pull it tight, and secure the running end on the
boat. That way you can adjust the docklines from on board, and tuck away
the excess line in a consistent way (however yu arrange it).

There is a knot which will do what you want... the tugboat hitch. Take
the bight of the line over the standing part, back around the piling,
then around the standing part again, etc etc. Enough times to feel
secure, then put a hitch on the bight over the standing part of the dock
line. I bet a Google search will come up with a better explanation plus
pictures.

Another way is to put a clove hitch over the piling by tossing a set of
loops over the top of the piling. This takes a little bit of practice
but it makes you look like a pro.

BTW a third hitch added to a clove hitch makes it much more secure. A
simple clove hitch will pull loose if left to itself and the boat swings
back and forth to any degree.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

I use Doug's method (throwing two loops over the piling, forming a clove hitch)
if I am tying up for lunch. I also have lines made up with snaps on the ends
for places where you can't get to the top of the piling. Wrap it around, snap
it on the standing part of the line and make it fast to a cleat on your boat..
When you are going you just unsnap the line and you are gone. Your crew can
stow the lines underway.
Another knot I like when I am at the ramp or someplace where I am just tied up
for a ninute is a clove hitch with a bight under the last wrap. Then you can
just pull the bitter end and you are out of there. Handy when you launch alone.
It is not a "walk away and forget it" knot.

Thanks, good idea, I'll research that tugboat knot. My docklines have
a loop in one end, sometime I wonder if it isn't easier to do the
length adjustment at the cleat rather than using the loop at the boat
cleat.

And the clove hitch... the trouble is, it slips, but your idea of a,
what, half-hitch, on top is a good one. Trouble is that required
getting the bitter end, although one could do a slipped half-hitch.
I'll play around.

What we do is use a spliced eye in the line to form a sliding loop. Put
that over the piling, pull it tight, and secure the running end on the
boat. That way you can adjust the docklines from on board, and tuck away
the excess line in a consistent way (however yu arrange it).

There is a knot which will do what you want... the tugboat hitch. Take
the bight of the line over the standing part, back around the piling,
then around the standing part again, etc etc. Enough times to feel
secure, then put a hitch on the bight over the standing part of the dock
line. I bet a Google search will come up with a better explanation plus
pictures.

Another way is to put a clove hitch over the piling by tossing a set of
loops over the top of the piling. This takes a little bit of practice
but it makes you look like a pro.

BTW a third hitch added to a clove hitch makes it much more secure. A
simple clove hitch will pull loose if left to itself and the boat swings
back and forth to any degree.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

It is possible to tie the clove hitch in the bight, but a quick search of
Google didn't reveal it to me. I could explain it if you'd like to know it.
I found a page that has a picture of a 'Pile Hitch' that looks interested.
I might have to give it a try next time I'm out. It seems to me that the
standing end should go under the bight, though. I'll have to think about
that one a bit. The folks at rec.crafts.knots might be of some help as
well.
Good luck.
Mark

On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 16:21:52 -0500, "Werlax"
wrote:
It is possible to tie the clove hitch in the bight, but a quick search of
Google didn't reveal it to me.
========================================

It's easy. Hold the bight in each hand so that it forms a U-shape
pointing away from you. Cross your left hand over the top of your
right forming a closed loop. Put loop over top of piling. Repeat
with the running end of the bight, and drop that loop over the piling
on top of the first. You should now have a clove hitch around the
piling. Once you do it a couple of times it becomes second nature.

Wayne.B wrote:
It's easy. Hold the bight in each hand so that it forms a U-shape
pointing away from you. Cross your left hand over the top of your
right forming a closed loop. Put loop over top of piling. Repeat
with the running end of the bight, and drop that loop over the piling
on top of the first. You should now have a clove hitch around the
piling. Once you do it a couple of times it becomes second nature.

Yep, I was being lazy about describing. Thanks for the time.

"Pile Hitch" is just the ticket - thanks! Seems very secure on the
piece of rope attached to my computer's joystick. I also tested the
clove hitch finished off with a half-hitch on the bight with the
running part, seems very secure, but the pile hitch is extremely easy.
I'll be getting inquiries from dock bums all the time I bet.

"Werlax" wrote in message ...
It is possible to tie the clove hitch in the bight, but a quick search of
Google didn't reveal it to me. I could explain it if you'd like to know it.
I found a page that has a picture of a 'Pile Hitch' that looks interested.
I might have to give it a try next time I'm out. It seems to me that the
standing end should go under the bight, though. I'll have to think about
that one a bit. The folks at rec.crafts.knots might be of some help as
well.
Good luck.
Mark

"Pile Hitch" is just the ticket - thanks!

I can't seem to find the link that describes this.