Sailor's Hitch
Also known as:Anchor Hitch
Description
A reliable hitch for attaching a rope to an anchor ring. It consists of two half hitches around the ring's shank, followed by a half hitch around the standing part. Very secure for permanent mooring.
Common Uses
Attaching rope to anchor rings, permanent mooring lines, and heavily loaded dock lines.
When to Choose This Knot
Choose this knot when fastening rope to an object, spar, rail, post, ring, or another rope. Hitches depend heavily on friction and the shape of the object they wrap around.
Safety Notes
- Test the hitch under controlled load before relying on it.
- Avoid sharp edges and smooth surfaces that can let the hitch roll or slide.
- Use extra turns, backups, or a different hitch if the load may cycle or change direction.
How to Tie
- 1Pass the working end through the anchor ring twice.
- 2Make two half hitches around the anchor shank with the working end.
- 3Take the remaining working end and tie a half hitch around the standing part.
- 4Pull all parts tight. The knot should be snug against the anchor ring.
Common Mistakes
- Tying around an object that is too smooth, tapered, or unstable.
- Loading the hitch before the wraps are snug and aligned.
- Forgetting that many hitches release quickly when the load direction changes.