The taut-line hitch is a useful knot for boating and other activities. It is an adjustable knot used to tighten a line that ties one thing to another. It is used to tie lines to hold up tent poles or a kayak on top of a vehicle - or anytime on a boat that you may need to tighten or loosen a line.
The taut-line hitch is tied between anything fastened to one end of a line (to right of photo) and a loop in the line around anything else. Once the knot is tied, it can be drawn tight and will hold under tension but later can easily be loosened or adjusted.
This knot involves a number of steps and can easily be tied incorrectly. To learn it, take it slow and step by step, and practice to get to perfect. (It will slip if tied incorrectly.)
Step 1: Form the loop by bringing the end of the line over the standing part as shown.
Continue to next step.
