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This article is an excerpt from NauticEd’s online Skipper Large Powerboat Course, a comprehensive online powerboating course for beginner to intermediate boaters to learn how to operate large powerboats 26 ft (8m) and above. You can learn and improve your powerboating with NauticEd, the international leader in boating education.

Blue rope tied with figure-eight knot on wooden rod, essential powerboating skill for secure docking and safety.

Icicle Hitch

 

Purpose: The Icicle Hitch is used to tie a rope to an object, such as a pole, spar, or another rope, particularly when the surface is smooth or slippery. It is designed to hold firmly without slipping, even under heavy or changing loads. It can also be used to wrap around the anchor chain for the use of a snubber. 

Why It’s Important: The Icicle Hitch is crucial for powerboaters because of its exceptional gripping power on slick surfaces where other knots might fail. Unlike the Rolling Hitch, which can slip when under strain or on smooth materials, the Icicle Hitch is specifically designed to maintain its hold in these challenging conditions. 

Note: This is one of those knots that when you need it – you really need it. No other knot will do the icicle hitch’s job. And it is really impressive to others when you save the day with this knot.

Click the image to see an animation (opens a page in a new tab. On an App this will require internet access)

 

Icicle Hitch

You can learn more in the Skipper Powerboat Course....

Knowledge and theory to operate powerboats 26ft and greater. The Skipper Large Powerboat Course is a comprehensive online powerboating course for beginner to intermediate powerboaters wanting to learn how to operate larger powerboats greater than 26ft. Or upgrade to the Bareboat Charter Master for Powerboats Bundle of online courses to also master multiday and near-coastal powerboating as well as charter powerboats on vacations.

Author

  • Grant Headifen

    My vision for NauticEd is to provide the highest quality sailing and boating education available - and deliver competence wherever sailors live and go.

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Last updated on November 29th, 2024