Rolling hitch a versatile knot worth knowing

By Mark Lifter, Rear Commodore (Ret.) / Port Captain

This article by Ocean Navigator contributors Rudy and Jill Sechez may be useful to GLCC cruisers who occasionally face the “knotty problem” of which knot to use in various docking or cruising situations, or when short a line with a spliced eye.

As the authors point out, the rolling hitch is the one knot to know for those who don’t have the skill or motivation to tie a variety of knots. After all, there are huge number of knots to consider. As implausible as this seems, the Ashley Books of Knots lists nearly 4,000 different knots.

The authors are using the term “rolling hitch” generically, as there many similar hitches such as the magnus, mooring, midshipman and tauntline hitches.

The authors contend that this “rolling hitch is simple to learn and use, and can be used for just about any job for which a knot is required.” They add that “that it is secure, adjustable and can be untied while under a load.” This may be a good knot to learn if you haven’t already, and to use when needed.

Authors Rudy and Jill Sechez have been cruising and living aboard both sailboats and trawlers for more than 20 years.

https://oceannavigator.com/article/the-versatile-rolling-hitch/