Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 22, 2026

Ringbolt hitching

Ringbolt hitching is a series of hitches made around a ring. Covering a ring in hitching can prevent damage if the ring is likely to chafe or strike against something, such as a mooring line or mast.

Last revised
Jul 22, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
302 w
Citations
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Source
Ringbolt hitching
Continuous ring hitching
NamesRingbolt hitching, Continuous ring hitching, Single ringbolt hitching, Kackling, Keckling, Hog backing
CategoryHitch
Typical useTo prevent damage from the ring
ABoK#3602, #3604, #3613

Ringbolt hitching is a series of hitches made around a ring. Covering a ring in hitching can prevent damage if the ring is likely to chafe or strike against something, such as a mooring line or mast.

Continuous

Continuous ring hitching, also known as single ringbolt hitching, is a series of identical hitches made around a ring. This is considered the simplest form of ringbolt hitching.1

Alternate ring hitching (ABOK 3604) source ↗

Alternate

Alternate ring hitching, also known as kackling or keckling, is a type of ringbolt hitching formed with a series of alternate left and right hitches made around a ring.1

As a means of dampening sound in row boats when a covert night operation was being undertaken, oar handles were wrapped in keckling knots to prevent wood rubbing on wood.2

More Ringbolt hitches

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Clifford W. Ashley, The Ashley Book of Knots (New York: Doubleday, 1944), 569.
  2. Pope Dudley, Ramage and the Dido (Great Britain: William Collins & Son, 1989), 226. ISBN 9780755108275.