Halyard Hitch

The Halyard hitch connects halyard to a shackle.

It’s required when you need to hoist an object like a mainsail, a flag up a flag pole, a ladder, or a yard.

It’s not listed in the Ashley Book of Knots, but it’s a variation of both #1912 and #1913.

Let’s learn this knot in detail.

How to Tie a Halyard Hitch

Variation 1

This variation looks similar to Stevedore stopper, with the working end appearing on the upper side beside the shackle.

Note: For the animation, a ring is used instead of a shackle.

1. Pass the rope through the shackle.
2. Wrap the rope around the standing line.
3. Make a second wrap around the standing end just above the first one.
4. Pass the rope through the loop beside the shackle.
5. Tighten the knot.

The knot looks neat and clean when the tag end is kept short. When trimmed short, it should not be used for critical applications.

Variation 2

In this variation, the tag ends appear right next to the standing line. 

Note: For the animation, a ring is used instead of a shackle.

1. Pass the rope through the shackle.
2. Make a turn around the standing line.
3. Make a second turn around the standing line below the first one.
4. Feed the tag end down through the loops.
5. Tighten the knot.

Pro TIP: If you need to increase the strength of the Halyard hitch, wrap the rope around the standing line 3 or more times. It’s not mandatory that you stick to just two turns.

Application and Uses

Halyard hitch is used in sailing to hoist a ladder, flag or a sail. It’s also used as a flagpole knot because it’s safe and has a compact profile.

Pros and Cons

The Halyard Hitch is very easy to tie.

It has a low profile design which makes it ideal for connecting halyard to a shackle, carabiner or a ring.

The halyard knot can not be untied once it is loaded with weight. In fact, there are times when you may have to cut it off rather than untie it.

It’s also hard to tie when there is a load on the line.

Another disadvantage is that it does not grip or tighten well around a large-diameter pole or object.

For example, large poles and wide objects won’t be able to give the knot the grip it needs to form a secure knot.

Other Similar Knots

Poacher’s Knot

The Poacher’s knot is tied similar to Halyard knot.

It’s tied like a double Overhand knot or strangle knot around the standing line.

The difference lies in the direction of the turn: 

In Halyard knot, the turns are made on the standing line away from the shackle, whereas the turns are made towards the shackle in Poachers knot.

Some manufacturers advise using the Poacher’s knot as a Halyard knot. But the use of this knot is intended to be permanent and difficult to untie.

Scaffold Knot

The Scaffold knot (also called Triple Overhand Noose) looks similar to the Poacher’s knot.

But, it has an extra turn tied around the standing line.

The Scaffold Knot is even less likely to slip with Dyneema and Spectra.

Buntline Hitch

Buntline hitch is an alternative to the Halyard hitch.

It creates a self-tightening loop at the end of the rope that is used to attach the halyard to the shackle.

It may be harder to tighten the Buntline hitch and also difficult to untie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use Bowline as Halyard Hitch?

The Bowline can do its job when used as a Halyard knot, but it is not recommended.

It gets loose under cyclic load which makes it an unreliable option.

I would never personally trust a bowline in a place where I could not monitor the knot—especially when there are other better Halyard knot alternatives.

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