| Taut-line hitch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Names | Taut-line hitch, Adjustable hitch, Rigger's hitch, Midshipman's hitch, Tent-line hitch, Tent hitch |
| Category | Hitch |
| Related | Magnus hitch, Rolling hitch, Two half-hitches, Trucker's hitch, Adjustable grip hitch |
| ABoK | #62, #1027, #1230, #1729, #1730, #1799, #1800, #1855, #1856, #1857, #1993 |
| Instructions | [1] |
The taut-line hitch is an adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension. It is useful when the length of a line will need to be periodically adjusted in order to maintain tension. It is made by tying a rolling hitch around the standing part after passing around an anchor object. Tension is maintained by sliding the hitch to adjust the size of the loop, thus changing the effective length of the standing part without retying the knot.
It is typically used for securing tent lines in outdoor activities involving camping, by arborists when climbing trees,[1] for tying down aircraft,[2] for creating adjustable moorings in tidal areas,[3] and to secure loads on vehicles. A versatile knot, the taut-line hitch was even used by astronauts during STS-82, the second Space Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.[4]
- ^ Adams, Mark (April 2005), "Son of a Hitch: A Genealogy of Arborists' Climbing Hitches" (PDF), Arborist News, International Society of Arboriculture
- ^ Pardo, Jeff (October 2004), "Tying the Knot: Know the ropes so your aircraft won't be gone with the wind", Flight Training, Airplane Owners and Pilots Association
- ^ Toss, Brion (1998), The Complete Rigger's Apprentice, Camden: International Marine, pp. 54–55
- ^ Nugent, Tom (1997). "Blanketing the Hubble". University of Delaware Messenger. 6 (3).