What is a stovepipe?

What is a stovepipe?

• A. A protective cover used on a deck
• B. Multiple round-turns on a single bitt or horn
• C. A knot used in mooring
• D. A device for smoothing mooring lines

Answer: (B)

Stovepipe is the technique of securing a mooring line by making several full turns around a single bitt or horn. Those turns create enough friction to hold the line under tension and prevent it from slipping, while still allowing the line to be released when needed. This is why the best choice describes multiple round-turns on a single bitt or horn. It isn’t a protective cover, it isn’t just a generic knot, and it isn’t a device for smoothing lines.

Stovepipe is the technique of securing a mooring line by making several full turns around a single bitt or horn. Those turns create enough friction to hold the line under tension and prevent it from slipping, while still allowing the line to be released when needed. This is why the best choice describes multiple round-turns on a single bitt or horn. It isn’t a protective cover, it isn’t just a generic knot, and it isn’t a device for smoothing lines.