Midshipman’s Hitch

The Midshipman’s Hitch is a hitch knot that creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope and holds tight under tension.

If you need a secure hitch that won’t slip, this one is for you!

Don’t confuse it with the Taut Line Hitch—they might look alike but they are different.

Let’s check out this hitch in detail.

How to Tie the Midshipman’s Hitch

1. Pass the working end over and around the standing end.
2. Wrap it around again and tuck it beside the first turn away from the object.
3. Tie a half hitch around the standing end.
4. Tighten the knot.

You have tied it correctly if your tag end is facing toward the standing end.

To untie, just loosen the Half Hitch Knot and give the knot a little wiggle by pulling on the standing end.

PRO TIP: If you are working with ropes like Spectra, Dyneema, or Polypropylene, the Midshipman’s Hitch might not hold as well. It could slip over time, so bear that in mind.

Why the Midshipman’s Hitch?

Unlike the Bowline, you can tie the Midshipman’s Hitch under the load. The Awning Knot in this hitch holds the tension on the line, so it’s easy to tie the Half Hitch knot.

Need a knot that won’t slip or constrict like the Two Half Hitches? This is the one.

Quick knot Comparison:

• Awning Hitch: It’s a building block for Midshipman’s Hitch, but not secure.
• Midshipman’s Hitch: It’s the strongest but hard to adjust.
• Taut Line Hitch: It’s easy to adjust but not as strong.
• Adjustable Grip Hitch: It is easy to slide and stays straight under tension.

Application and Uses

The Midshipman’s Hitch is a general purpose hitch that can be used for different applications.

It can be used to secure tarps and tents, hang a hammock, or moore boats.

And, fun fact, Ashley himself recommends this knot if you fall overboard and have a trailing rope to grab.

In ABoK#1993, he says it’s the best option for saving your life in that situation.

And that’s not all!

It is also used to secure loads on vehicles or even tie down the aircraft like the gliders.

Even Arborists love this knot while climbing trees.

Midshipman’s Hitch vs Taut Line Hitch

The Midshipman’s Hitch and the Taut Line Hitch are both adjustable tension hitches, but they differ in structure and ease of use.

Feature	Midshipman’s Hitch	Taut Line Hitch
Knot Structure	The first wrap is made in the direction of the object and the second wrap is made in the opposite direction.	Both wraps are made in the same direction towards the object you’re tying to.
Slippage	More resistant to slippage under load compared to the Taut Line Hitch	Can slip under heavy or extreme load
Ease of Adjustment	Difficult to adjust	Easier to adjust
Security	More secure	Less secure
Applications	Better suited for heavier loads where security is more important than ease of adjustment.	Commonly used for setting up tents or tarps where quick adjustments are needed.

Related Knots

Awning Hitch (ABoK# 1854)

The Awning Hitch is the foundation of the Midshipman’s Hitch. It is a temporary hitch that is useful for adjusting guylines.

Taut Line Hitch (ABoK #1856)

The Taut Line Hitch looks similar to the Midshipman’s Hitch but isn’t as secure.

It does not include the Awning Knot, so it cannot take the strain before adding the Half Hitch knot. It is based on the Rolling Hitch version 1 (ABoK #1734). 

Adjustable Grip Hitch (ABoK #1857)

If you tie the final Half Hitch in a reverse direction, it will give the adjustable Grip Hitch (although this specific name is not mentioned in the Ashley Book of Knots).

Farrimond Friction Hitch

The Farrimond Friction Hitch also creates an adjustable loop at the end of the rope, easy to tie and super easy to untie, and hold tight under moderate pressure.

It’s highly effective with paracord ropes and natural materials. But, it might slip with the modern slippery ropes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to tie and untie under load
• Secure than Taut Line Hitch

Cons

• Does not work as expected on stiff and slippery ropes

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