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KA

Diagram

Timber Hitch

Bowyer's knot · Lumber hitch

Hoist or drag a spar. Holds under tension only; collapses when slack. That is the hitch.

Hitch · Beginner · Polyester / Nylon rope / Polypropylene / Natural fibre · 4 steps

ApplicationsHow to tie it
Timber Hitch, finishedTimber Hitch, finished

Finished structure

Drawn from a rope model of this knot: which strand passes over which comes from where the rope actually lies.

  1. Pass the end round the spar: over the top, down the back and up the frontThe rope goes over the top of the spar, down the back, under it and back up the front, a little along from the standing part.
    Move 1 of 2Pass the end round the spar: over the top, down the back and up the front
    Take the end once round the standing partThe end goes over the standing part and back under it, close to the spar, so the standing part runs through a small loop in the end.
    1Round the standing part
    Move 2 of 2Take the end once round the standing partYou should now see: The line circling the spar, with the end hooked round the standing part and pointing back along the rope that goes round the spar.

    Step 01

    Pass the end around the spar, then take it around the standing part.

    You should now see

    The line circling the spar, with the end hooked around the standing part and pointing back along the rope that goes around the spar.

    If it goes wrong

    Taking the end around the spar a second time instead of around the standing part, which leaves a round turn rather than the start of the hitch.

    Fix: Unwind the extra turn and pass the end around the standing part.

  2. Twist the end round its own part three times, following the layThe end twists three times round the rope that has just gone round the spar, lying on the front of the spar, not round the standing part.
    1Twists round its own part
    Move 1 of 1Twist the end round its own part three times, following the layYou should now see: Three twists of the end round its own part, lying against the spar rather than out along the standing part.

    Step 02

    Twist the end around its own part, the rope that circles the spar, three times, following the lay of the rope.

    You should now see

    Three twists of the end around its own part, lying against the spar rather than out along the standing part.

    If it goes wrong

    Wrapping the end around the standing part, or stopping at one twist. When you pull, the end slides out of the hitch.

    Fix: Unwind the end and twist it three times around the rope that goes around the spar.

    Why: The twists are what hold. Under load they are pinned between the rope and the spar.

  3. Pull the standing part so the rope closes on the spar and grips the twistsHauled on, the turn closes on the spar and presses the twists against it, with the small loop drawn up to the spar.
    Move 1 of 1Pull the standing part so the rope closes on the spar and grips the twistsYou should now see: The twists pinned flat against the spar under the rope, and the hitch staying put when you tug the standing part.

    Step 03

    Pull the standing part so the rope closes on the spar and presses the three twists against it.

    You should now see

    The twists pinned flat against the spar under the rope, and the hitch staying put when you tug the standing part.

    If it goes wrong

    Twists left standing away from the spar. The rope tightens, but the end is not trapped and works free under load.

    Fix: Slack off, push the twists down onto the spar and pull the standing part again.

  4. Keep a steady pull on the standing part while it worksThe finished timber hitch holding the spar while the standing part stays loaded.
    Move 1 of 1Keep a steady pull on the standing part while it worksYou should now see: Under load the hitch stays tight and the spar follows the pull. Slack off and it loosens enough to shake off.

    Step 04

    Keep a steady pull on the standing part while it works. To hoist or tow a spar lengthwise, add a half hitch around the spar near the hauling end.

    You should now see

    Under load the hitch stays tight and the spar follows the pull in line. Slack off and the hitch loosens enough to shake off.

    If it goes wrong

    Expecting it to hold when the line goes slack. With no pull on it the hitch practically falls apart and can drop off the spar.

    Fix: Use it only where the pull stays on. For a line that goes slack and then loads again, tie a hitch that holds without tension, such as a rolling hitch.

    Why: The half hitch keeps the spar lined up with the pull so it does not twist. With it, the timber hitch usually sits near the middle of the spar.

Failure modes

When this family fails, it fails as these. The recovered end still outranks the name.

Bind / drag family

A binding that holds two parts, or a hitch that tightens as you drag.

  • !Reef knot used as a bend — it spills
  • !Granny form (both tucks the same way)
  • !Timber hitch with too few wraps on the object, so it walks
Fails when
  • !The pull comes off, so the hitch loosens and can drop off the spar
  • !The end is twisted around the standing part, or only once, so it slides out when pulled
  • !The twists are not pressed against the spar, so the end is not trapped and works free under load
  • !A spar hoisted or towed lengthwise has no half hitch, so it twists out of line with the pull
Geometry

  • Too few dogged tucks

    Walks as soon as the spar turns

    Three or more tucks are the hitch · step 02

  • Loose dogs never dressed

    Dumps under the first hoist

    The tucks must bite the standing part · step 03

  • Expected to hold slack, or used as a chain snubber

    Collapses the moment the load comes off

    This hitch holds under tension only; a standing transfer is rolling or icicle · step 04

If you saw this

  • Hitch dumps when the load comes off, or walks while hoisting

    Check

    • ?Three or more dogged tucks
    • ?Load on the standing part

    Then

    • →Add tucks
    • →Keep it loaded
    • →Use rolling or icicle for a standing transfer

  • Too few dogged tucks

    Check

    • ?Walks as soon as the spar turns
    • ?Inspect step 02

    Then

    • →Retie. Do not dress a defective structure and call it seated.

  • Loose dogs never dressed

    Check

    • ?Dumps under the first hoist
    • ?Inspect step 03

    Then

    • →Retie. Do not dress a defective structure and call it seated.

  • Expected to hold slack, or used as a chain snubber

    Check

    • ?Collapses the moment the load comes off
    • ?Inspect step 04

    Then

    • →Retie. Do not dress a defective structure and call it seated.
Same family

Same failure class, different geometry. Open the plates — Diagnose still starts from the symptom.

This failed — start Diagnose

Not ideal for

  • ×A standing attachment that must hold slack
  • ×A slick snubber on chain (rolling or icicle)
  • ×HMPE

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