The Halyard hitch is a knot that connects the halyard to a shackle.
It’s a sailor’s best friend when hoisting objects like a mainsail, flag, ladder or yard.
Though not listed in the Ashley Book of Knots, it’s similar to ABoK #1912 and ABoK#1913.
Let’s learn this knot in detail.
Halyard Hitch Details
Type: Hitch
Other Names: Halyard Shackle Knot, Sunfish Halyard Knot
ABoK Reference: NA
How to Tie a Halyard Hitch
Variation 1
It looks similar to Stevedore stopper but with the working end appearing on the upper side beside the shackle.
- Pass the rope through the shackle.
- Wrap the rope around the standing line.
- Make a second wrap around the standing end just above the first one.
- Pass the rope through the loop beside the shackle.
- Tighten the knot.
PRO TIP: Keep the tag end short for cleaner look. Don’t use this variation for critical applications if the tag end is trimmed short.
Variation 2
In this variation, the tag ends appear right next to the standing line.
- Pass the rope through the shackle.
- Make a turn around the standing line.
- Make a second turn around the standing line below the first one.
- Feed the tag end down through the loops.
- Tighten the knot.
Pro TIP: Want a stronger knot? Add a few more wraps around the standing line. Two wraps work fine but 3 or more can boost strength.
Application and Uses
Halyard hitch is used in sailing to hoist a ladder, flag or sail.
Its slim profile makes it great for tying the flags.
Pros and Cons
The Halyard Hitch is 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, sometimes it’s better to cut it off rather than untie it.
It’s also hard to tie when there is a load on the line.
It does not grip or tighten well around a large-diameter pole or object.
For example, large poles and wide objects do not 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 the Halyard knot, the turns are made on the standing line away from the shackle, whereas the turns are made towards the shackle in the Poacher’s knot.
Some manufacturers advise using the Poacher’s knot as a Halyard knot. But it should not be used as a permanent as it can be 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 works well with slippery ropes like Dyneema and Spectra.
Buntline Hitch
The Buntline hitch creates a loop at the end of the rope which tightens under load.
The self tightening ability also makes it a great choice for attaching halyard to the shackle.
It’s harder to tighten the Buntline hitch and also difficult to untie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Bowline as Halyard Hitch?
Technically, YES.
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 trust a Bowline in a place where I could not monitor the knot—especially when there are other better knots available.
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