Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

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Part 2: The Basics of Operation
Clove Hitch
The clove hitch is used to tie up to dock pilings when you’re not staying long, as for a
waterside dinner. It’s basically a couple of loops tossed together and is very easy to tie and
untie.
Look Out!
A clove hitch tied where
pressure is not constant on both
ends is likely to slip and fall
down the piling, and maybe
even come untied completely. Tie
it so that there’s pressure on both
ends, or secure it with a half-hitch
to make it more dependable.
The clove hitch is a good
temporary tie-up to a piling
but may slip down the pole if
there’s no strain on the lines.
One Knot That Fits All: The Uni-Knot
Start by making the first loop over the piling so that the
standing line passes over the top of the running line.
Then, make a second loop around the piling so that the
bitter end passes under the running line. Pull on both
ends and the hitch snugs down.
You can convert this into a permanent knot for dock
lines left in place at your slip by adding two half-hitches
over the standing line. Since the clove hitch bears all
the strain, the half-hitches won’t jam, but they secure
everything.
This is a knot originally invented for the slick monofilament used in fishing line, and it
won’t work with large, rough ropes. It’s sometimes useful in light rope, especially if
started with a round turn so that it doesn’t take extreme loads and thus doesn’t jam. Its
most important use, though, is for anglers. It’s quick and retains almost 100 percent of the
line strength.
Boater-ese
A round turn is made
by passing a line through a fitting
or around a piling twice,
thus forming a complete loop
around the object.
The nice thing about the uni is that it’s an all-purpose
knot, good for tying on a lure, tying a leader to running
line, or tying two equal-sized lines together. Learn this
one and you won’t have to worry about most of the
other fishing knots.
Basically, you make a loop so that the end overlaps the
running part of the line about six inches, make five
turns through the loop, and then pull the tag end tight
to jam the wraps. Pull on the standing line and the loop
closes to form the knot.