The bowline or the variations of it as in the sheet bend and the net knot are very dependable. Yes, there are better knots but but not many I know how to tie about fifty or sxty knots and I choose the one most suitable for the job at hand. Sometimes more than one hitch or knot is used for a single application. A clove can fail when used alone but backed up with a rolling hitch on the standing part it will still be there when the storm has passed.