A Perfect Cleat Hitch

Demonstration of procedures needed to tie a proper cleat hitch, and a review of common errors made when tying a cleat hitch, as generally applicable to small to mid-sized recreational vessels, but not applicable to larger commercial vessels and ships.

[@wally07]

When I found this video I wondered how it was going to take over 10mins to teach a cleat hitch. I watched every minute.

[@reneap9049]

Me too!! Really learned this !!

[@jackdaniels8751]

Same here

[@DerenzoJohn]

Me too. I learned the hardly ever used highwaymans hitch on KZbin last weekend because it sounded cool, but I've been tying my kleet in a shameful manor for years.lol

[@1112Buster]

Same lol

[@ericdavis1660]

Welcome to sailing. There is always more to know and another way to learn it.

[@Arariel3]

"If you can't tie a knot, tie a lot." Absolutely beautiful! Thanks.

[@lovingatlanta]

👍😂😆@9:43-9:57 When I walk through the docks at various marinas it cracks me up. 😂

[@richardward7062]

Funny but true.lol

[@nicelady51]

Good one!!

[@xjmoe83]

Great video, thanks! 👍🏻

[@jprall4379]

@@lovingatlanta you ok i

[@patrickbaynes3842]

Hey guys, this is a great instruction video that is clearly labeled. All the criticism is uncalled for. He didn’t label the video, how to tie off a 15000 ton barge. This is a specific type tie off. If you do it differently, it’s called a different knot. The video is well done, clear and helpful. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonathansimmonds5784]

Btw, stop calling it a knot, it isn't, it's a hitch. Considering the number of people admitting they are learners then the criticism is justified, too many people learn how to do it incorrectly if nothing is said. Just wait until you have to find a knife in a hurry and you're cursing the person that created the fix you're in. There aren't different ways to tie off to a cleat, there's only one way, the correct way be it a 2 inch cleat for your washing line at home or the throat halyard on a bluenose schooner.

[@SimpleGreen2017]

I agree. So much criticism on this guys video. I used this cleat hitch daily when I worked in a marina. It was perfect for a quick tie when we hauled-out boats before winter hit us. If the slip owner had a problem with the way we tied up we told them to tie for themselves.

[@jeremyrowley1240]

It equally applies to all sorts of boats. I've seen people drown because of half hitches on cleats used on dinghies. The only place for a half hitch is on a round turn and two half hitches and a fisherman's bend. I.e used in proper knots which can be proven to be undone under load.

[@richardryerson]

@@jonathansimmonds5784 Hitches are knots. The fuck outa here

[@chrisseymour3027]

@@jeremyrowley1240 how did they drown? Trip over the line?

[@tainak3967]

This is above par for teaching knots... Your slow/steady easy to understand talking, and repeating. and showing whats right and whats not right, and showing from different angles... Great explanation!!

[@maurolawall]

Thank you! I love when people not only teach the correct way, but also show the incorrect ways. This helps a lot understanding the subject.

[@peterpostma4227]

I could not imagine it could take 10 minutes to explain this very simple thing, but every minute was valuable. Thanks!

[@markuswelly3677]

Tom, excellent demonstration on how to tie a perfect cleat hitch. I'm practicing the process from all angles using my girlfriend as the cleat. It works really well.

[@jo2522]

lolollo

[@kanamasai5194]

I really appreciate that you explained the REASON why each action (step) is taken. It is much easier to remember when the reason is clear.

[@teatonaz]

This is a great point you make about knowing the REASON behind the details of what is being taught. Agreed a huge help for retention. All schools/teachers should teach this way, but sadly few do. This guy is not only a master seaman (I would suspect) but clearly is a master teacher. !!

[@cathyreedy3630]

Thank you, I’ve been boating for 20+ years and I have tied some interesting knots on the cleats. Can’t wait to show my husband what I can do since watching your video.

[@codycampbell3562]

Excellent Guide. Describing how it can be done wrong and why it is wrong is underrated.

[@littleredhen3354]

My boat could be used as the example of all the wrong things lol. Fixing that today thanks to this video!

[@SVBAPAT]

This is by far the best video. Most other videos explain how and what of a particular knot. This explains "why". Its easy to remember now what a cleat hitch is after watching this video.

[@songswithcam669]

There’s something deeply satisfying about a simple thing done right.

[@colinmontgomery1956]

You are very right.

[@johnm9840]

I know this video is 3 years old, but if I had teachers and professor's that were half as patient and taught, so the information will stay with you. God knows what I could've accomplished in this life. I'm not afraid to admit, that all these years I started on the wrong side every time. Right now actually the boat and ski are sitting there, tied off incorrectly. I've actually passed that bad information on. Thinking 30 years makes me an expert by default. What a fantastic video. Simple and yet I know those lessons will stay with me forever. Thank you so very much! John M.

[@umangu]

Beautifully explained. I wish every teacher I ever had was as methodical and detailed as you!

[@teatonaz]

Absolutely,.. the skipper is wonderful !!

[@craigbarnett3351]

Absolutely the best instruction on how to tie the cleat hitch correctly. Thank you!

[@rover112]

After watching this great video instruction, i kept hearing "flip AWAY from the entering line". Will never ever forget this. Thanks!

[@kobboy007]

No wonder why this video got 3.4M views after 7 years, because I also found this one the most informative one for learning cleat hitch in the right way. Thank you sir in name of ~3 Million other people who will properly tie their boats from now. :)

[@chrisseymour3027]

Thank you for a great video. I used it to teach a friend the cleat hitch for mooring. I've been sailing for more years than half of the citicisers on here have been breathing. I was taught ropework by the RNLI. I would ignore fools that criticise this video because it is perfect for its intended use!

[@conniec8376]

Excellent how-to video with clear examples, slow and repetitive demonstrations that teach a clear step-by-step reason for doing it the right way. Now I realize what I've been doing wrong and why it looked right, but may not have been correct. Thank you!!

[@lectro88]

I have responded before on this. But this is my go to video when I think I need a re-fresher. I seldom get to go out. But when my Restoration is finished, this is the method I will use until it proves unfit. Thank you again, and again.

[@roikingon7892]

I think it is ridiculous that we have people here trying to compare a yacht to a barge. I assure there are many differences between the two and your average KZbinr is not here learning how to cleat off a barge or carnival cruise line. We all have personal vessels and this is a great demonstration.

[@240LTS]

Agree.

[@frankluzzi681]

I have to say, in addition to doing a terrific job of explaining the reason for the knot's design you also demonstrate it beautifully. I am fairly new to boating and I have been trying to follow other videos demonstrating knots and they go so quickly I just end up feeling confused. You make it straight forward. Excellent job! I thank you.

[@ushi120]

This is one of the best explanations on KZbin, how to fix a rope to a cleat. I'm a german sailing and powerboat instructor and we teach it the same way. Recommendation: If you expect heavy loads (wind), use 2 locking hitches. Some of the comments prefer the british way of tying to a cleat. They call it OXO method. The british sailers don't use a locking hitch, they just go around the cleat twice. One at the beginning, and one at the end. In the middle they use 2 half hitches. I prefer your method. ;-) Thx for the video, greatings from germany

[@sandyt4343]

I have crew or owned both for most of 50 years +4 years as boatswain mate in the coast guard and 34 years working in a harbor on the docks and this is the best explanation I have ever seen. Thanks

[@smoothpants]

Best video on this subject. Only one I've seen that actually explains the reason why this knot is done the way it is, and shows what happens when tied incorrectly. Thank you, Captain. Subscribing to your videos.

[@hipocampelofantocame]

This is the best knot teaching that I've yet seen. This man can teach anything, even to slow folks like me. I was taught in medschool that repetition is the mother of students. Kudos!

[@jimdriver2658]

I was taught years ago by an older friend. I was taught how you explained to do it. Never had a line come loose. But at the marine you see some wild ways people tie up their cleat hitch. your a good man to explain this to many who need to learn this.

[@andreholgersson1300]

Excellent tutoring! I have been boating for many years, and just used the "tie a lot" philosophy, simply by not knowing that there were better and worse ways of doing it. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@gerhardkrcmar6310]

Best introduction i`ve ever seen because you explain the impacts if you`re doing wrong. Pls do some more!

[@daryls1844]

I really like that you showed the 'what not to do' , excellent tutorial.

[@timothysykes1135]

The quality of this instruction was excellent- the best that I’ve ever seen for teaching a beginner. I make no comment on the actual knot because I’m not an expert in this field.

[@liquidsofa]

A true expert can do the basics, perfectly. You are an excellent teacher.

[@mikedunn5633]

This is the best video my wife and I have seen on tying a cleat hitch. Thanks, Captain Tom!

[@tracyrkane]

Well done! I really like the detail of showing it from different directions. It's just that kind of thing that would throw me off. The principles you outline are good from any direction too.

[@JoshDotSeeEh]

I find myself in awe at his teaching abilities. Wonderful video.

[@tstfrd]

This is the best demonstration of tying a hitch on the internet. Thank you for doing this.

[@peterrafeiner9461]

Excellent demonstration and without annoying background music used by so many on KZbin. Thank you very much!

[@240LTS]

I agree with you on the annoying background music used by so many. This video was filmed and edited great.

[@yannthree]

Fantastic explanation. Been boating all my life and haven’t thought much about it but now see I should make some adjustments. Good to know that if you do this you can be confident it will do the job. Thanks.

[@knikwind8458]

Takes me back 50 years to my Sea Explorer days on Puget Sound. Fond memories of hard work and good times. We prided ourselves how fast we could throw a cleat hitch.

[@johnmason528]

great tutorial. thanks. about to tie my 1973 San Juan up to my mooring for first time. having just bought it , reno'd it and made the mooring. So this was very useful.

[@schreiner888]

Top, very well explained...finally someone who brings it over so understandably..many greetings from germany

[@camerakid76]

“If you don’t know how to tie a knot, tie a lot.” Bahahahaaa I’m keeping that. 😂 That’s got to get the Red Green stamp of approval. LOL

[@lectro88]

I've watched this before and not active enough yet to remember. But this is so simple once you grasp the basic instructions. It's simple and effective. Thank you.

[@lindsayjohnbabineau7405]

Best video on this topic ever. Great refresher as boating season is about to begin. Thanks Capt Tom

[@andreasvogel9049]

Best explanation of a cleat hitch I've ever seen. Thank you very much.

[@steveolson8100]

I struggled to see how to use a cleat finally a perfect video thanks

[@davidmadisontheguardian]

Appreciate you taking the time to explain this fully... not only how to tie it; but why the other ways are wrong. That really helps to lock in the information for me. Thanks!

[@EdHourigan]

Very well done. This is the best explanation on YT I have found so far on using a boat cleat.

[@clickr73]

I went to the Poker Run at The Lake of the Ozarks, for my first time, had to tie off on another boat on their cleat, but f’d it up, and now I can say, nevermore will I be called a landlubber for not correctly tying off the cleat. Thx Captain !👍🏻⚓️

[@patfarra627]

Great Teacher. Shows it correctly several times...also shows common errors. He is the real deal

[@susanhunter7647]

Capt. Tom, I wish that you had been my instructor for boating. This KZbin is the best I have viewed for basic docking. Thank you.

[@toooldtodieyoungmotorcyle]

Finally!! a proper easy to follow demonstration from all angles. Brilliant,

[@robbiehobbs2009]

Been boating my whole life..... Never seen it explained in this detail. Excellent. Thank you.

[@louisGC28]

Best tutorial I’ve seen yet. Made it seem very simple! Can’t wait to try it again this weekend 😊

[@Ipa1958]

Dear, thanks a lot for such clear and detailed explanation of how to make correct cleat hitch.

[@flashy5150]

Thank you for showing me this knot. I am a great fisherman, I can drive a motorboat but I never really knew how to do this proper knot and my knots always looked like the “bowl of spaghetti “ that you showed us, maybe a little less lol. This hitch you have shown would take a little practice and the ability to be ambidextrous in some ways but at least the boat won’t float away with an oncoming Gail. I learned the term “Gail” from Captain Bernie, the ship that followed the Edmund Fitzgerald the night it went down. Those guys are still hero’s to me, even though they have passed. Keep sailing.

[@jeremyrowley1240]

It isn't a knot.

[@tonychen1062]

Excellent introduction to show us again and again. Thank you , sir. From Taiwan.

[@familjenkarlsson7610]

Perfect presentation! I have done exactly like in the video for over 30 years. Thanks!

[@johnbravo2315]

Great presentation utilizing slow speech and visual repetition. Nice Job to instruct Mariners on the correct and secure way to tie up.

[@SoundzAlive1]

correct way. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHPUpHltZ92Bibcsi=ZlA0Vr-97wWG8vGw

[@robertsurprenant1205]

Very helpful. Thank you Tom. My initial hangup was the flip away on the locking loop. Appreciate your tutorials.

[@thehillbillyhangoutcigarclub1]

This is one of the first things I teach new crew. Thanks for the great video.

[@brazeagle]

Very nice Captain, really appreciated the tie to teach us the correct way. All the very best God Bless.

[@scottmitcheltree4182]

I have watched these, but this gentleman is the first one I can understand this knot from...Sorry I was not a Boy Scout. Just an Airplane mechanic, IT Guy. and a family boater.

[@robertmargeson264]

Same!!

[@jrb6434]

Great examples. I love how you show it from all four directions; excellent way to (thoroughly) demonstrate this. I have been guilty myself in the past of "tie a lot." Because you showed the incoming line from all 4 directions, I noticed a pattern that might present a good gut check in the middle of the procedure: If you 'do it correctly,' then the first time you cross over, your rope will always, as it crosses, be running parallel to, and in the same direction as your incoming line (for example, in your last of the 4 incoming directions, the incoming line comes "from upper right," and the first crossing also goes "from the upper right"... toward the lower left). Handy, extra hint, rule of thumb, perhaps? Thank you for the lesson. Terrific video.

[@alexcross3165]

I just got a dockhand job and I really needed this!! Appreciate you!!

[@carlosmartinezreborned6403]

Great video and thanks for sharing your knowledge on the perfect perfect cleat hitch!

[@donzi32boats80]

Great lesson.Thanks captain for sharing you're knowledge.

[@shellcrackerlover5889]

Great knot!! I use it all of the time here on Lake Barkley! It is astonishing how few people know this knot. Edit: Thank you for clearing up which side to come in when starting the knot!

[@TheStevenno3]

Thanks a lot! Your video is super useful. I've got a couple of important tips to add: Tip 1: When you're holding onto a rope, sailors should have their pinkies pointing forward, holding it like you're punching. That way, if anything goes wrong, you'd lose your pinky, not your much-needed index finger. Tip 2: Before making that last flip with the rope, sailors should take a moment to make sure the rope isn't going to slip. This helps avoid catching your fingers in it.

[@carlray6010]

This is a great video! Thank you! I am glad I found this out. Your explanation was very logical .

[@livebig247]

Why the hell would someone dislike this video? This is an excellent educational video on how to do this hitch. Thanks for the video! Big thumbs up!

[@leftitbe]

Das erste Mal, dass ich so eine super Erklärung in der Art und Weise gehört habe. Thumb up...

[@carlsails58]

Got it! Complete round turn and go to opposite side of cleat. Wondered why my hitches gave me stress in releasing! Thanks Cpt. Tom!

[@donzi32boats80]

So well done, explained where anyone should be able to follow. Thank you sir..

[@Reubenhubert]

Years ago a friend told me something that happened on his dad’s boat. They we’re tying up to a dock and his brothers were trying to decide what knot to use. After a couple minutes their dad said, “Forget that sailor shit. Put a knot in it.” It still makes me chuckle to think of him saying it.

[@michaelgodfrey871]

I am a newbie to boating. Thanks for taking the time to create a detailed video.

[@oceres]

Excellent demonstration. Thank you for taking the time to ensure there will be one less guy "tying alot" down at the dock.

[@frankgatto2427]

Best explanation I've ever seen. Thanks

[@richardcasey4439]

Superb tutorial. Demonstrating the right and wrong ways to tie a cleat hitch, with explanations, really drives home why you do it one way

[@Shine53388]

Great explanation! As a beginning boater, I was easily able to follow and apply your technique,

[@Zero2speeding]

I have to say I stumbled upon your video well trying to get to another video and I'm glad I watched. I don't know your history but I'm guessing you have extensive experience in instruction because that was perfect for my learning style! You should be teaching teachers how to teach, say that three times!

[@Mr40tt]

Thank You Captain! Very well demonstrated! Captain Carpman

[@newgunguy4176]

This is the best video tutorial on the cleat hitch I've ever watched. Thank you.

[@ivyrose6]

Thank you so much for this video, your thorough explanation really helped me understand everything.

[@hipocampelofantocame]

What a beautifully presented and easy to follow and understand lesson, including the experienced teacher's motto, "Repetition is the mother of students." Kudos!

[@sekainiheiwa3650]

thats why the politicians and the media repeat you

[@barryandrew2304]

Best explanation ever. Thanks for the upload sir.

[@kevinhoffman8214]

very good , it is very important during a storm to be able to loosen the line -this is the right way

[@sailingyoumeandjosapea6770]

I’ve needed this explained for the 20 years I’v owned boats now I can see if I’ve been doing it right all this time 👍 thanks

[@arturoaortiz]

Fantastic video. Very well explained!! Thank you for sharing

[@snoboy58]

Outstanding instructional video that (unlike most modern youtube videos) was well rehearsed and well explained. Video essentially takes us from being bone head knot makers to expert hitch tyers.

[@Kid2577]

This is the best mooring video! Thank you very much!

[@LondonCarnaval]

Can't be explained any better. My wife keep getting confused 😕 and when I found your video, I showed it to her and now she is a pro at it. Amazing calm and very well explained 👍👍👍👏👏👏🙏🤗 Thank you so so much for sharing this awesome video ✌❤🍀☘

[@riprob93]

Excellent basics! Very detailed! Much thanks, and keep up the good work!

[@JJO2012]

Just purchased my first boat. This is very clear instruction, thanks!

[@burtburt1755]

Thank you for taking your time and effort to teach this. I learned a lot and will share what I have learned.

[@beaud3035]

Thanks! I dont sail or get out on boats much but i love learning new things and was practicing on my vice on my workbench in my garage and that is really cool!

[@johnchuba912]

Just ordered my first boat, great video, thanks!

[@Jt1111sat]

Explanation is as clear as cloudless sunny day. Thank you!

[@Mike-ys7rh]

Excellent presentation-thank you!

[@mralien4710]

You are a great teacher. To bad life never introduced us… Till now. Thank you.

[@MrBrix3]

excellent video!!! ...........It's easy to see why you are an instructor! Very thorough and instructive video!!