How to Cleat a Line: Three Ways | Expert Advice

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Hands down the best video on cleat hitches out there. Every boater should watch this. The 210 thumbs down came from haters who can't tie a cleat hitch and refuse to learn. Probably the same guys that dock their boats without any fenders.

[@nyinfamous2k2]

very informative, Think im going to have to take a ride to the dock later and fix all my lines lol

[@rickblais7098]

Boating over 50 years. Almost didn't watch but glad I did. Great stuff about matching knot to cleat and line. 2 thumbs up!

[@n40tom]

First thank you for the informative video. Now after reading quite a few comments I noticed how many people are calling line rope. This is the way it is people it starts out as rope but once you assign a a job such as bow line , spring line, anchor line xcetera . It ceases to be called a rope it is now a line. That is as long as that line is fastened to the boat. And a exception would be a piece of rope tied to a bucket to retrieve seawater would still be a piece of rope. I hope this make sense to you.

[@rustie4242]

That was so cool. I've been sailing for years and no one has ever explained a cleat hitch as clear and simply as that... Cheers from Melbourne Australia

[@RurlMerican]

Rustie I always had powerboats but I went out 2-3 days weekly in season and I was never shown either. Time to get another boat so I can try them out!

[@tcwoodhull]

BeauJameson p

[@DiabloOutdoors]

This is certainly THE best video about cleat hitch. Congrats!

[@cliveradvan3414]

I'm knot going to forget these instructions!

[@ItaComedian]

Ok ok, that’s a wrap

[@Garfield.Farkle]

Huh? . . . What was on the video? . . . I didn't get a chance to see it because I've been tied up all day

[@DougAlesUSA]

The cleat hitch mystery is why videos like this convey their way is the only correct way. The truth is there are multiple correct methods, and anyone who tells you otherwise has not traveled or is a narcissist. In Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin, the area boaters know as Door County, the standard is a wrap followed by three figure 8’s with no tuck at the end, with the remaining bitter end of the line braided, never coiled. Everyone uses it, everyone understands it, and visitors are quickly schooled on the local method. This area gets coast guard vessels, the occasional Navy vessel which are manufactured across the bay in Marinette WI, Great Lakes tugboats, plenty of Great Lakes comercial and recreational fishing vessels, tour boats, the occasional Great Lakes freighter which tend to use looped ends on giant posts not the cleats, and recreational sail and power vessels. The method I described above is the method enforced by staff at all private and public marinas and government owned jetties, piers, and wharfs. Use any other method and the staff will soon correct your method for you. Travel over to the marinas in Michigan and you will see all sorts of methods. No APS, your method is not wrong, but it’s not the only correct method. A wrap followed by three figure 8’s is a perfectly valid line cleat method.

[@scottwhitfield1456]

What a fantastic video! Covers three very common mistakes or unknown concepts to many people. 1) Half-wrap vs. full wrap, 2) multi-wrap vs. extra loops for holding, 3) importance of line diameter to cleat size, and what to do in the case of size mismatch. Well done!

[@markfrankel9345]

I guess my father taught me right; he always insisted on a full wrap cleat hitch. I can hear him in my head as I write this telling me to wrap it all the way around, which he thought he needed to remind me every summer for forty years. Understanding the need for the multi-wrap based on line size was helpful. Thanks.

[@AdvistaVideo]

Thanks.. No wonder why my boat was found 3 miles down the coast. JK. I learned something. Well done explanation and video production.

[@liamstone3437]

Great lesson. It's nice that you showed it is the wraps that hold, not the figure 8 around the horns.

[@havocproltd]

I expereienced the 2nd happiest day in a boat owners life years ago BUT i'm a passenger of friends' boats, I rent AND i'm that guy standing on the dock when you pull up and i'll take your line. THIS is truly one of the most worthwhile YT videos I have ever watched ( im looking for something about wwii holsters...)! thank you!

[@vannigiovannigio8861]

This should be a standard video when purchasing, renting a water craft. Great demo on how they can come loose and how to prevent it. Hats off to you.

[@podthesod]

been sailing for 50 years plus … all sizes of craft. ….. still learning! Good stuff … thank you.

[@Solstice42]

EVERY boat owner should know this - and if they don't ... WATCH this video! (thank you for making this!)

[@DrCrabfingers]

The best cleat tying video on KZbin.

[@Jodorow_]

Thanks for this video. I live in France, and I confirm I have always been taught the second version of the cleat hitch, with the full wrap... On many videos on YT, only the first version of the knot is described as the "good ones"...

[@Capt-Intrepid]

Best most complete cleat hitch video on KZbin.

[@freddiepenrose4235]

Thanks, been boating over 50 years and didn’t know why I was doing it the right way, lol, you explained it perfectly. Thanks

[@Jtown1ification]

Thank you! Just purchased my first 31' boat and have much to learn. Scratch this from the list.

[@SeamusButler]

Excellent video, sailing all my life, never even thought of the smaller lines, just used extra figure of eights! Lesson learned!!!! Thanks!

[@Robinson_Crusoe]

This channel is what i call hitting the jackpot in sailing advice and info.

[@Gladtobemom]

My dad always taught us the full wrap --- half wrap had a big red X on it in our book of knots. Multi wrap was specifically described for use by thin or "synthetic slick" line in that book.

[@michaelwilkinson2928]

Excellent lesson for all boaters. Being from the UK, I tend to use the full wrap with the locking turn after a full 'X'.

[@karthiksc47]

Thank you for the excellent coaching and explanation. I had just tied my laser on its maiden voyage with a half wrap a bit loose and was derigging and suddenly I was floating away. Now using full wraps from now on, thanks to you

[@drxym]

I started doing a cleat hitch on a RYA sailing course and was told just to OXO it. Seems like OXO is preferred in most cases.

[@littlegoobie]

Not long ago, i was fishing (rod/reel and line) with someone who had worked on commercial seiner fishing vessels for 20 years and the cleat "knot" he used shocked us all since it came from the school of "can't tie a knot, tie a lot"

[@wapeamilo8453]

One of the best knot videos I’ve seen with great “why” explanations. Thanks

[@Penwiggle]

Interesting, and a good demo on the Cleat Hitch. In the UK, the RYA now teaches the OXO method, and steers away from the Cleat Hitch. I think it’s because the Cleat Hitch can get jammed up, or maybe slip?? The OXO is a good, reliable method for tying to a cleat that doesn’t slip or jam, but to be fair, I’ve never tested it with a thin line on a large cleat. Will have to give that a go.

[@ron9320]

Thank you! I learned my lesson today!😉 Last week I was boating with some novices who always made the multi wrap. And I said „Nono! That’s not the way to do it!“ Now I have to apologize.😇

[@HumpnYoMama]

This is the best video ever, I can see from the comments people like to wrap, loop and figure 8 and finish with knots till they run out of rope.. noobs.. I been doing it this way for over 35 years and never had any problems losing a boat nor any worries. I can tie off my boat in a second and your right about the size of the cleat and the rope, I use 3/8 in. double braided nylon rope and it works just fine for the lake and river docks I visit with my 20 foot Capri SS and I do come across different sizes of cleats to tie off and this video explains it very well but nobody listens so maybe you need to do a video for some of the folks on here about using chain link and a shackle to tie up their boat. Great Video 2 Thumbs Up..

[@chevyspeed6368]

Thank you sir! Finally someone who explains it so well with all the different configurations!!!

[@tiaxanderson9725]

One of the few videos where the full/European cleat hitch is even acknowledged and even explain why/when you should use it as well as the even less discussed multi -pas- wrap

[@jamesdeanboatrv]

Very well done I’ve been boating for a lot of years and did not understand or know about the different size ropes with different cleat hitches

[@n40tom]

Great video and informative . News to me a lifelong boater was the multi wrap . I have always used a full wrap. I taught my granddaughter how to tie up to a cleat when she was 5 years old and by the time that she was six I no longer had to check her work. Take care .

[@RanOutOfThingsToDo]

I learned to sail in the UK and was taught to do a full round turn, figure of eight, then full round turn to finish it off. No tucks - tucks bad. I will add to the conversation by saying I’ve never had a cleated line slip doing it that way and agree that tucks bad: when you’re sailing in miserably cold weather, and you’ve lost dexterity in your fingers or have gloves on, tucks are unacceptably cumbersome to negotiate in an emergency (dropping mainsail for example). Turn, eight, turn, you can undo with frozen hands. Not saying any other way is wrong - just horses to courses

[@b.vonschnauser207]

New boat owner here. Super helpful info. Thank you for taking the time to share.

[@trepowers6959]

Been a dockhand and a sailor my whole life. Thanks for explaining the details of why it works.

[@Graimthu1]

Finally, someone showing the correct way to tie a cleat hitch.

[@phagunagarwal6160]

I’ve never sailed in my life, but this was awesome, thanks!

[@timequest9802]

This is Gold!!! Great presentation and very well explained.

[@shockwave611]

I was taught to do the OXO method, one full rap then full cross then another full rap then lock of with half hitch.

[@billleskeep2033]

Very clearly presented and worth the six minutes to be certain about something we seem to have to practice often to get right.

[@MrSteeJans]

Outstanding explanation and demonstration! The progressions clearly show the incremental benefits, and relativity between the options. Thanks for the great work!

[@Capt-Intrepid]

Excellent Video about the 3 types of Cleat Hitches.

[@grumpy1311]

Another advantage of the full or multi wrap is if the line is pulled very hard , it will not allow the cross tucks to overtighten and bind up , which can result in having to cut the line off the horn. Good demo !

[@Dom-gf4in]

Like everyone else said… excellent video! Super simple yet comprehensive. Had to sign in to give a thumbs up and comment.

[@Mrgluck-ho6th]

Great video! I've always been taught to use the half wrap technique, I wish I would've seen this at the beginning of July. I had my boat in the water at our cabin July 4th, I had it tied off with half wrapped cleat hitches and of course it had to storm. I had to go down to my boat to retie it to the dock countless times because the boat was bobbing like a cork & pulling line out of the cleats. It will be fully wrapped at night, or during a storm from now on, thank you for the tips!

[@jonathanfriedman8343]

The BEST treatment of cleat hitches that I've seen. Thanks.

[@77goanywhere]

Thank you so much for this video. I made a comment on another video that claimed that the half-wrap cleat hitch was the only one that was "proper", that my lines often slip using that hitch, and that I usually add a wrap or two to be confident. I was criticized by some self-claimed "old salts". You have vindicated me!

[@mikefule]

There's always someone who knows you're wrong and has to tell you so, even when you're right. Different hitches for different circumstances.

[@RealGoldRealWealth]

Perfect demonstration and explanation of the correct way to tie a cleat hitch and keep your boat secure.

[@freedomforever45]

Excellent video !! Just bought my first boat. It's a 20' wind catching pontoon. My line has been slipping and now i know why. Thank you for explaining more wraps vs more knots and line diameter.

[@mchlshntn]

At 1:29 when you say "once around the 2nd horn", you might mention why that is important. Which is to have the base of the cleat take the load. I have seen the horn break off because the line was not wrapped around the 2nd horn, but instead crossed over the top before wrapping around the 2nd horn.

[@jeremyrowley1240]

Not an expert! All those methods finish with a half hitch which should never, ever be done. Anybody that uses those on my boat gets escorted off the boat immediately.

[@robertplante3334]

I wish every boater would see this! I worked for a small cruise line in San Diego many years ago and a captain took the time to show everyone a proper cleat. I think he was getting frustrated when the 176' schooner was close to leaving on her own!

[@ODannyBoooy]

Thank you for sharing your expertise. It really helped clear things up for me. Well done!

[@stephenirwin2761]

Great video! Just what I need for my 14’ boat!

[@eddiedoherty2349]

Nice video with excellent instruction. The line diameter versus horn cleat was very useful. Thank you

[@dutchflats]

Great video, hadn't thought of some of the points raised here.

[@carleengaliardo]

Very best video. We live aboard the 80’ ShipsAhoy! and I’m always retying these lines with a full wrap after someone helps us dock. Also, lines get longer when wet so may have to be tied again anyway. The difficulty comes when you have to attach double lines in hurricane conditions and the cleats aren’t big enough to allow for two full wraps. Best we can do is put the loop ends on opposite sides and then tie one full wrap on each cleat. Thank you for your excellent boater education. We all appreciate it very much.

[@jonathansimmonds5784]

Good to see it being explained correctly, and by an American too! I'm sure the sailors bringing the Pilgrim Fathers over from Europe would be disappointed the settlers forgot it and it became the inferior hitch you first demonstrated. However, there is another aspect to docking a very great number of sailors haven't taken onboard, that only the end of a mooring warp goes ashore, the rest remains onboard the vessel unless of course it's a dinghy painter. With a nicely spliced eye in the end of a warp several boats can use one cleat by 'dipping' the eye through all eyes already on the cleat thereby allowing any one of them to be released when required without having to disturb the others. Better still is to pass the end through the cleat or ideally a ring on the pontoon or quay and back to the vessel. British sailors only know two ways to moor to a cleat, the correct way and the wrong way.

[@SeamusButler]

If staying a while at a pier, we usually change over to a round turn and two half hitches rather than bowline on a bollard, just in case the boat is left hanging off the pier ( we have 5m tidal range west of Ireland) dipping the eye is common courtesy!

[@jimdupuy1729]

Great video, useful information and explanation of why to use the different methods. Thanks!

[@TheFyllekajja]

I was doing the full hitch for years until someone told me to do the half. So i started with the half instead, now i know better 😁

[@quadcomputers]

The bitter end should always be facing back toward the load. Using the furthest horn yes of course. The full wrap which you showed with your "second tie" is the one to use, even if it is a short tie up. Good practices become good habits.

[@skipperry63]

Excellent video and presentation! Thank you!

[@wendiyee6442]

Your explanation of the cleat to rope size, is awesome. Had never heard that before…Thank you! 🛟

[@dr.andreww.mintojnr.1059]

nice, very nice demonstration! I've always used a double wrap no matter the boat, line diameter, or cleat length and never lost one ... ...yet!

[@chipott3705]

Best I’ve seen. Watched a lot of videos that all seem to say the first method is good for everything. Obviously knot…

[@kirk9975]

WOW, that was best explanation ever! Thank you sir!

[@OldWhitebelly]

Very handy-I'm a kayaker, and always have a 1/4" short line on hand on my foredeck. Occasionally I need to tie up to an 8" cleat at public docks. I've never had my boat drift away on me, but that seems to have been luck more than my knotwork. Wrapping the legs of the cleat like a winch is the key, then lock it down with the figure 8.

[@chillywilly3397]

Excellent presentation. Thank you very much!

[@jimholthaus9009]

Thank you for your wonderful videos. I've pointed multiple friends to these as you do a great job of explaining the how and the why. I just made a purchase from APS due to these videos, too!

[@billwilder1133]

Great video. Good information without the fluff.

[@franklang.5202]

Nice Video!! The half wrap cleat hitch I use also in Germany.

[@richardalvis4695]

great info, speech and presentation. well done

[@arturoaortiz]

Such a good explanation!! Thank you for sharing

[@stevenmccrickard1401]

Thank you this is very informative and helpful

[@markvolker1145]

Ropes with loops on the ends has worked best for me!

[@kevinwhite9937]

Excellent work. Very helpful

[@thalesnemo2841]

Awesome explanation! So it’s a 1:16 ratio between the line diameter and the cleat length . Many times I’ve used a bowline loop through the middle of the cleat then a cleat knot .

[@Ricovandijk]

Interesting! In 33 years of sailing from dingy to tallship, I han’t used any of those and I didn’t even realise there were more ways to do this, let alone being names for various knots! Mine doesn’t go round the base, it always is two figures of eight, clockwise on the top, and a half hitch on the third pass. It has never failed me. (Funny I had to recall on motor memory to write this down) 😅

[@justincase5272]

You're undoubtedly a far more knowledgeable and experienced sailor than I am. Absolutely. No doubt! When it comes to knots and ropes, however, I might have an edge on you. My father (U.S. Navy, 30 years, retired) enlisted my help tying eye splices one summer. They're a very useful not for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact their breaking strength is 4/5 or higher than the breaking strength of the line. That's something, particularly given the fact most knots range from around 35% to 60% of the line's breaking strength, and some knots can break at just 15% of the line's actual breaking strength! We made some larger ones for tossing over pilings, smaller ones for through-cleating, and some in-between sizes for other tasks. What you use depends upon three things: 1. Wind and Sea state during your planned tie-down time. 2. Dockside security. 3. Need for quick release. If there's no need for a quick release, especially if you'll be tying up for the duration, use something more secure and able to weather a lot of movement than a cleat hitch. For example, if you begin with your cleat hitch with the loose end of the line, laying in the basic full cleat hitch before adding a couple extra flip loops, that WILL tighten under load.

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

Kyle, that is another excellent video. Good demo, good narration, clear lesson. Well done! Will share. Have subscribed because of your good videos. Keep up the good work.

[@apsltd]

Thanks for watching Steadman! -APS

[@rbrown3164]

Wow! So glad I viewed this vid. Been sailing since 1986, never new this! Thanks APS!!

[@rdprdputube]

Great video, I did know the proper tie for a halfwrap. Never knew about the others. And thanks so much for the sizing info. Well done!!

[@77goanywhere]

I have a seamanship certificate and am an avid sailor. I have NEVER had the multi-wrap cleat hitch explained to me, and where/when it is needed. Using stiff or slippery lines I often have used a multi-wrap out of necessity while feeling a bit embarrassed about doing so. Now I realize that the cleat hitch I use on the boat with smaller cleats is not sufficient for large dockside cleats, and why. Hence the rule, "learn your rope, learn the knot". Thank you!

[@colinanderson5966]

Superb - explained very well - thank you.

[@tomelew8465]

Phenomenal video! Thank you.

[@svseaknsolotude3277]

What a great video!! Thank you!!

[@stevensoutdoors]

RIP APS. Hope these helpful videos will be left in place for future reference.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

What happened?

[@silvermediastudio]

Dude passed?

[@stevensoutdoors]

@@hosoiarchives4858 They closed for good during Covid. But even before that, they stopped their highly useful business of sealing specialty sailboat rigging equipment, and converted to only selling "sailing apparel and fould weather gear." That was when their business really passed IMHO. Here's their official message: "It is with much sadness that we are announcing the permanent closing of APS. Unfortunately, we are unable to bear the burden of the losses caused by the COVID-19 crisis. We want to first and foremost thank you, our customers, for your continued support throughout our 29 years of business. 2020 was our first year under the new model of exclusively retailing foul weather gear and sailing apparel. The ability to focus all or our creative energies on, and share our knowledge of technical sailing gear is something that allows a specialty retailer like APS to provide an outstanding value. Both January and February were a strong start, with increased sales that exceeded our projections handsomely. In the midst of a new store build out and many other new initiatives, APS’ new model was on the path to full realization. Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared us for the new reality of COVID-19, something many small businesses are now facing. Since Maryland's order to close all non-essential businesses, APS’ operations have been shuttered and all employees furloughed. We have been processing the few orders we receive online twice a week for a few hours, but other than that we have been closed, and with very minimal cash flow. With the costs incurred from properly transitioning the company to the new sales model last fall, and a closure forced right at the end of the off season (when funds are low and accumulated off season costs are highest), the financial realities have become too much, and drastic action is required in order to protect all parties to APS’ business. Sadly, APS will be permanently closing, and all inventories liquidated by way of an online sale. We would like to thank our customers and vendors, who we have so enjoyed serving and working with. The sport of sailing and the sailing industry is full of wonderful people that make it a special place to work and play. Most sincerely, and with gratitude, Kyle E. Gross Founder, Owner and President, APS Ltd."

[@bentackett6299]

Great video! I'm guilty of using the randomly-wind-it-in-a-ball-hitch 🙄

[@azschalter]

Easy to understand. Well presented! 👍

[@kevinsimard]

To me that looks like a dead turn locked off with a clove hitch. Thanks for showing me how a boat cleat works. Cool video sir!

[@mikefule]

Yes, it's amazing how much ropework contains thinly disguised clove hitches. The round turn and two half hitches, the halyard bend, some versions of the cleat hitch all have a "hidden" clove hitch in them, and several other knots have a variant of it. It's because of the way the rope crosses itself, trapping itself and introducing friction.

[@Cous1nJack]

Cleats, bits, and belaying pins. Near side, far bit, one round turn and three fig8. Learned on a tall ship aged 14.

[@erniesanders3724]

Great instructional video. Thanks

[@Sailor376also]

Excellent !! Thank you. I use also an additional method. I am a sailor. Trimming,, changing the settings of the sheets, halyards, travelers, vangs, etc. is a nearly continuous process. The single and double wrap cleat hitches are used constantly at times. On cleats that are close at hand,, and I mean that literally, cleats under your hands within the cockpit, lines that are often still wrapped around the winches,, you do not even need to tie them. IF the line and cleat sizes are correct. Just wrap 3 or 4 turns and give a sharp tug to seat the working end under a turn, or between a turn and the standing part. As you have stated, cleat and line must be of a compatible size, and fuzzy line, used in sheets, helps with both a soft hand and extra friction.

[@adriennef1770]

Exceptional instruction!

[@kentblairl]

Excellent, didn't know how to figure out the right size cleat for the right size line, had previously used the SWAG* method. * Sophisticated Wild A$$ Guess. Thanks for the info!

[@joeb1092]

I have and will continue to follow Chapmans.

[@AlThePal78]

I am a new boater n never used my boat yet I need to learn this

[@svbarryduckworth628]

"Think of a winch" -good information. I've found that a lot of people use an extra crossing hitch before the locking hitch to make it more secure. That seems to be a lot more secure, but I'll take your word for it that an extra wrap around the base is more secure. I've seen slippery line come right out of a cleat hitch under load even if the line was sized correctly to the cleat. With more wraps at the base it might be much harder to untie if the line locks over itself, but thinking of a winch it'll hold a lot more. Just don't get that dreaded over-wrap :(

[@FiferSkipper]

You have clearly seen the lines jam because of improperly wrapping the line around a winch, the same holds true with cleats. There is NO PROPER way to repetitively wrap a line around the base of a cleat; it will jam. The solution is to add multiple locking crossovers NOT multiple wraps... as your own experience has illustrated.