How to tie a cleat hitch, a full break down with troubleshooting

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This is a "must learn" for beginners. And it's an easy one to get confused on. The first half of this video is how to do it right. The second half is advice on what might be going on if you sometimes get the knot mixed up and don't know why.
If you're a seasoned sailer, what tips and tricks do you have for individuals new to sailing or boating in general with regard to cleat hitches?
If you need a cleat to pratice with. Here's a link: amzn.to/2gwl7XU
And here is a rope!: amzn.to/2gwnzgR
Shameless plug: check out our free floorplan tool for comparing boat floorplans: bit.ly/2mbCALr
Music:
ProleteR - Back Home
ProleteR - Soul Key

[@ericbaker277]

Best tutorial I’ve seen on this.

[@stevenravi]

Best video on cleat knots

[@danmenzel7229]

Nice to have clarity. No mumbo-jumbo. Just a great explanation and demonstration.

[@seandavis5527]

So, I’m going to say thank you so much for making these videos of specific knots and the troubleshooting. I am currently taking my ASA 101 and 103 courses and I’m not going to lie, this particular knot, the most basic of them, has been kicking my ass for a couple of days now and thanks to you, I am able to figure just what the hell I’ve been doing wrong for so long. I would say I’m almost ashamed to admit it,but it was a matter of attacking it at literally a different angle that helped. Cheers guys and thanks again.

[@mrbill1683]

you should use a full loop cleat hitch if you don't want it to pull out or slip. this is a half loop. -can't believe I'm seeing this as a recommendation.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

I’ve been sailing for years and flipping the loop backwards always trips me up

[@hosoiarchives4858]

@@mrbill1683 I collect knot videos that do it wrong

[@robdonald1246]

A really important benefit of a properly tied cleat hitch is it easy to undo. Thanks for video. You're a good teacher!

[@flightofthekingfisher9766]

Really helpful. I know how it is supposed to go and find myself struggling at the end sometimes, but not always. The troubleshooting section sorted that for me. Thanks!

[@DarranG.Hanson]

I agree with the others--the best tutorial. Other videos demonstrate the how-to well. But this video explains the why behind the how-to and anticipates the problems that often occur when doing it wrong. I like the board w/ cleats and lines setup. That would be useful for an instructor teaching young/new sailors (e.g. scouts, beginner sailing classes).

[@islandoftiki]

I just found your video to share with a friend who will be helping me tie up to dock cleat and I wish I had seen your video when I was learning.

[@davehenning7747]

Another great video. This is great one to show guests so they can help secure the boat to the dock or secure the jib halyard on a dinghy, for example. I love how you add the "troubleshooting" sections (you engineer you. ;) ). Seriously, though, that is something about teaching/coaching people don't understand. I coached high school lacrosse for 14 years and I have been frustrated by some of the ASA instructors I have had. The knowledge is always there, but the teaching skill isn't. To teach a skill or drill to player or another coach, it is important to explain not only what the drill looks like done correctly but also what a lot of the common pitfalls are. Demonstrating those pitfalls visually is great. In the case of the cleat hitch, I have seen these pitfalls trip up relatively experienced sailors all the time (including me!). Screw programming. Let's become sailing instructors!

[@jandradventures]

Yeah I definitely agree, with what you're saying. A good coach / teacher realizes that the way they see things is different from the way a person learning sees things. That's why I try to show different angles and the trouble shooting. Plus when I make a video like this it really forces me to hone my skills and actually understand what I'm doing rather than just repeating something from memory. Also, yeah programming for me is a job that I'm good at, not a passion. I've always been decent at teaching but did't want to be a "teacher" because the pay wasn't as good as programming. Buuuut, making teaching content and selling it online, that could be quite profitable. So its actually kinda sorta something I'm thinking about. But I feel like I need a little more clout/experience first. In the meantime I'll stick to smaller videos explaining more bounded concepts like knots or how sails work or whatever.

[@davehenning7747]

I think you are totally on the right track with the lessons you have put here. I love how you say open it up for questions from newbies AND suggestions from experts. I got into coaching lacrosse to feed my teaching bug. It was basically volunteer work, but I had the kids when they were at their most motivated. I was able to keep doing the engineering work for the most part. I have similar thoughts about doing a "jazz for engineers" website like what you are doing here. I play jazz piano at reasonably professional level and I know so many technical people want to learn to play jazz. From past experience with students who were technical, I know how to teach the basics of music theory required for improvisation in a way that is appropriate for that audience. At the same time, from personal experience, I know it is easy to get mired in analytical side of improvisation and never enjoy the fun of it all. Your site has given me a lot of good ideas on how I might go about that.

[@eddiememphis1]

Old video... New comment. Very well done. Tying from different sides, L&R, and different sides, dock and boat, was very instructive. I wasn't quite able to visualize this knot from my off hand. Your video helped a lot. Good job, Ryan.

[@lincolnlawyer9704]

I was taught to always do a complete circling of the cleat before tie off so even the pressure across the entire cleat and not just one side. I’ve never had a cleats come loose on a dock this way.

[@rbbach1945]

Ryan ,thank you for time and effors.Excellent presentation.Best explanation I've seen for this knot.Rick/old geezer in Seattle aka Emerald City.

[@matthewmiller800]

Really like the videos, guys! I'm only an hour outside of Kemah myself and you guys were a big reason that I have decided to take ASA 101 at South Coast Sailing Adventures the weekend of April 22nd. Keep up the good work!

[@jandradventures]

Oh very cool. That's coming up soon then. Good luck! It's a ton of fun.

[@rbailey294]

This was great! So helpful the way you took us through it. Thank you!

[@embieTahoe]

Which side of the horn to start on? (So as to try and tie up to stop the boat moving in a primarily wrong direction). For example, say the boat is parked bow forward (you've nosed into the space). In that case, you do not want the bow to move forward, because there is typically a cross dock there that it could hit. If you are hitching a bow line, would you take the first turn on the horn farthest from the bow? If so, when you are finished the line from the boat to the cleat is tightest if the boat tried to move forward. Or would it not matter if you started on the most forward horn?

[@Donzorro849]

Best instruction video I have found! Good job!

[@donhunter2527]

A proper cleat hitch requires a full turn around the base before the figure 8. Without that, the line will slip under load and make the lock loop nearly impossible to get apart.

[@TheDivegeek]

Also, if the line is thin relative to the size of the cleat, you may need multiple wraps. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHPUpHltZ92Bibc for a good explanation of why.

[@treeorbs479]

Thanks, that was the very thing I was getting confused on.

[@GMan-qv7xy]

Brilliant vid, clear and easy to understand

[@roygumpel8415]

I tend to agree with Don Hunter's comment, below, because many years ago a well known merchant sea captain taught me that you first do a full turn around the cleat base to "lock" it, before the twisting.

[@alexdickey9542]

Thank you for discussing the fleming. It's not just a 'pretty' ending for the line but a safety matter. A line just laying on the dock is a tripping hazard for people walking the docks so the fleming curls the rope so that it acts as a mat for people to step on without getting Tangled in the line. Nice video though.

[@herbertocobock9436]

Then it becomes a curly, dirty mat.

[@cindytriplett8168]

You’re a really great teacher! Thank you!

[@SoundzAlive1]

A full wrap is best practice then you can leave your boat otherwise you must keep an eye on it. The best cleat is a OXXO and there is no need for a hitch. The hitch gives people a false sense of security when it is definitely NOT a secure cleating if you do not use a full wrap at the start. Also, it adds a danger when the line is pulled while cleating you can trap your fingers when applying the hitch. The hitch is only good for tidying the end of the line. Note that you want the load on the base of the cleat not on the horns and NOT on the hitch. Putting extra wraps is something needed when cleating to a larger sized cleat which non-full wrappers forget or don't know. Agree with commenter @mrbill1683 André in Sydney

[@cheserex]

Very clear thanks. I see a lot of cleats that are loaded up with multiple figure eight turns after the base one. Messy.

[@AidanWeatherill]

Great clear video, and using cleats in this way will mean you never lose your boat... however... You don't need to put a cleat hitch on, Just do OXO and it will hold a tanker. If your line is slippy then some kind of OXOO or OXXO will hold anything. The problem of putting a locking hitch on can come if there is a lot of load (eg boat cleated in a tidal harbour and the tide goes out, or in an emptying lock) then the rope will tighten and you cannot release the hitch with that load on, the only way to save the boat is to cut the line. Without a hitch you can release and re-set the line. I am aware this is a religious issue for some :)

[@jandradventures]

Thanks for the comment. I see your point about the issue if there is a lot of load. I wonder if you could double back the line to create a slip on the last hitch and pull it out that way if there was alot of load on the line.

[@gregorywebster6640]

As a brand new wanna be sailor I have to say I hope most sailing topics aren't this confusing. Lol. Everybody has a different opinion on this one. I sure appreciated this clear instruction.

[@seikibrian8641]

The load occurs on the other side of the cleat, not on the locking turn. If the line doesn't have enough friction on the two sides of the base and on the first figure-eight over the horns, then you're using the wrong size or material in your line.

[@GLOCKDPLUSFlowriders]

First half of video EXCELLENT! 2nd half wrong and confusing.

[@Chaparral2004]

You could not have made this any clearer. Thanks!

[@peterdentremont7296]

Thanks are you going to do a slip line for either tight or windy leaving of docks? I've seen it done but have no idea how to do it.

[@jandradventures]

Yeah, I'll look into it. Seems like in the right conditions it'd be really useful.

[@peterdentremont7296]

Yea I know what it's for just not how to tie it. Allowing both you to be on the boat and release the lines while both are on the boat from the dock and retrieve the lines. Most important in bad conditions.

[@dennisdehart7451]

Very good video, I have had several boats but until now I never had one that required any serious tie ups, I now have a house boat and a 20 ft pontoon, I was a little embarrassed when I realized that I didn't know how to tie up a boat.

[@BruceInFlorida]

Nice job !! I may start making it a requirement that future passengers aboard my boat watch your KNOT VIDEOS :)

[@jandradventures]

lol. thanks! I was thinking the same thing for future passengers on our future boat.

[@nonyayet1379]

@@jandradventures kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4GQgX-er8Sof9k check that fella out, check out his other video's too!!

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

Hi Ryan, very nice work on what you are doing. Just for your information , the last hitch is called a locking hitch.

[@jandradventures]

Hey thanks. Yeah, I figure since it's winter here, nearing the holidays, and we don't have a boat (yet), I/we can create videos more information oriented videos to hold us over. We're not becoming a knot channel. But I'll probably post another half dozen of these at least. We went through basic sailing training and too many knot videos show it once, and don't go over trouble shooting.

[@DougAlesUSA]

I believe we should braid not coil (Flemish) the unused remainder of the dock line for safety. Years after I insisted on never Fleming a line, I saw on the Bravo network TV show Below Deck Ashton Pienaar almost loose his life because someone chose this dangerous practice of leaving a coil on the boats aft swim platform. Ashton stepped on the coil as the line was paying out. His leg became entangled in the coil, causing him to be pulled off the boat and into the water, with his leg still entangled in the line. If not for the quick action of a camera operator, who unsecured the lines bitter end, Ashton would not be here today. The correct and safest practice is to braid the unused portion of the line. When you are ready to depart, one pull at the end of the braid is all thats needed. If you have unbraided a line on the deck or dock, leave it uncoiled in a zig-zag “Z” pattern until you can braid it or its used. If one end of a dock linen is secured, the rest of the line should never be coiled, ever. Coiled lines are prone to getting wrapped around legs, causing the entangled person to drown. Anyway, thats my opinion.

[@MsActor2009]

Frantically practicing this for my marina license!

[@terrypurtle8540]

Very well explained!

[@drxym]

I 3d printed a cleat and there are quite a few designs on thingiverse. I printed out a couple in PLA and screwed them to a board like in the video.

[@AlergicToSnow]

Excellent tutorial

[@davidh7268]

nicely taught, thank you!

[@johnburkey1135]

very good how to

[@syexplorarconmigo8853]

Galveston, TX sailor here-- Are you all based out of Kemah, TX? Or where is your home base-- your FB page did not really say much at all. Just curious....

[@jandradventures]

Hi! I guess we need to update our FB page. We just created it last week so it's kind of only half set up. We're based out of Austin and drive down to Kemah/Galveston when we can.

[@curtisjordan9210]

Great video!

[@hosoiarchives4858]

A lot of people say to do a full loop before you cross

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

Everyone thinks they know a knot until they have to tie it under pressure with people watching thats why practice makes perfect 😂

[@frankhenrylisborg7470]

Good job

[@filipinophreak]

New sub

[@DanAir]

You need to do a full turn at the start, otherwise you're losing the main friction element of the line. Oxo and don't coil your line if it's braided, hemp for example. Better to do a turn and a half and tie it off on the boat if you have lots of line.

[@jandradventures]

Two knot videos in one weekend! It's been rainy here. so why knot......... lol

[@mrbill1683]

why would you show the inferior half loop cleat hitch, vs the full loop cleat hitch...

[@Donzorro849]

Thanx!

[@nevillecottee7629]

After reading the comments, it seems that the novices do it one way and the professionals do it another way. It’s amusing to see the novices debating the point, not realising that the professionals were once novices. The fine weather sailors rarely get into trouble, (proving in their minds that they are right) even though they do many things wrong.

[@carleengaliardo]

When you say, “fully wrapped,” it’s NOT. This is a half hitch, not a full wrap. When you DO fully wrap it, you go too far and wrap it around the wrong horn. When you do a full wrap properly, both ends of your line end up on the same side, not opposite sides. When you completed your full wrap, it looked the same as your half hitch. The half hitch is also known as a “lunchtime hitch” and should not be used to secure an unoccupied vessel.

[@Shine53388]

Very helpful!

[@PaddleDogC5]

If cleat is to big for rope you need more wraps around the cleat base.

[@rangerbasstime9462]

Good job....

[@TrevorAsay]

Helpful! Thanks

[@markdonahoo2912]

Not "towards you", it's always "towards the doc". That way it doesn't matter what side you are on you finish correctly.

[@janicemurphy7878]

Thanks it helped I see there's more than one way to not. A W

[@nonyayet1379]

you only trap the line once? why is that? educate me please. I've always trapped it at least 2 times, if not more.

[@flat5sharp11]

Good, clear video. Perhaps a little pedantic, but "working end" and "standing end" are less confusing terms. What you refer to as the "bitter end" is actually called the "working end" The term "bitter end" is of nautical origin and was so called because it was end which was attached to the anchor *bitts* on the ship - hence the name. Also being attached therefore makes it the "standing (attached) end" It's a common misnomer. www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bitter-end www.grammar-monster.com/sayings_proverbs/bitter_end.htm

[@RR-pw5nb]

I always have a headache after watching knot tying videos.

[@m0rtl]

Wrong

[@johntripp2028]

You shouldn't go all the way around. It can get locked under load

[@AdamMT1618]

I always go fully around once. Lol

[@dadejazzba402]

If you leave your boat for a long time you're right.

[@ackack612]

good grief......a properly tied knot will not slip. period. in adding additional turns you're saying the knot cannot be depended on. I'm not sure what a slippery line is but a better solution than reinventing a proven knot or hitch is to use properly sized lines. rather basic seamanship.

[@StreetTruckinTitan]

It is basic seamanship but conditions and variables always change depending on weather, cleat or rope size. Period.

[@katies6768]

Our instructor actually taught us the cleat hitch with an extra loop (or if that’s the wrong word, then halfway between the first and third versions shown in this video, with the bitter end ending up on the left, say, instead of the right). He’s a former naval officer, so I’d say he’s seasoned, but that’s just what he’s comfortable with I guess.

[@Profile.4]

Why are you on this video you bum

[@Profile.4]

@@katies6768 I don't give a damn

[@cgrovespsyd]

If you can’t tie a good knot, tie lots of them.

[@znon5876]

Tmi - Less is more.

[@Sadie04074]

This cop will be a much better cop after this deposition. LOL

[@nevillecottee7629]

To belay or to knot belay. Excellent presentation. However, most experienced boatmen and all professionals never put locking hitches on cleats, because if a hitch is needed it will jam beyond your ability to undo it; resulting in embarrassing or even dangerous situations. See “coastguard boating education”. This video should be titled “the wrong way to belay”.

[@dronsimon9069]

OXO

[@iainhunneybell]

Sadly absolutely not the way it is taught. If you lock the last loop like this a heavier boat and any swell will tighten the ‘oxo’ to the point you can’t release it. Fine on a dingy, not on a heavier yacht. And oxo is finished by two lock loops around the stock of the cleat, not a locking loop

[@Justjack613]

This knot should never be on a boat. Or any cleat.

[@nevillecottee7629]

Exactly. A knot on the horn of a cleat is the way novices belay. This guy sounds like he knows, but it’s common knowledge that many KZbinrs copy from each other without knowing why. Professional seamen and experienced yachtsmen never belay with knots.

[@beneathpavement1]

Hmmm. The "TOWARDS YOU" reminder fails, You are pulling the rope "TOWARDS YOU" with the right AND wrong way. The point is that you should be looping UNDER the horns, not OVER. So you;re basically making up your instructions and failing.

[@creekfreak8936]

I hate this knot

[@p.t.anderson1593]

WARNING: This video is dangerous! With all due respect I disagree with this method, specifically the flip a loop or locking hitch. This can create an extremely dangerous situation when there are high loads on mooring lines, such as in mooring at a fixed dock with extreme tides or while traversing locks. Under strain the line will lock itself onto the cleat and you will probably not be able to undo the locking hitch. Given enough force, and I have seen this situation personally, either the mooring line will part (high potential for injury or death) or the cleat will rip out of the deck (high potential for injury or death). NEVER get in the habit of using the locking hitch, EVER! The scary stories I could tell... but I don't have room here. The method I learned in the US Navy, Submarine Squadron One, and taught as the Deck Division Leading Petty Officer was safer and more simple. Same as this video up to the point of the locking hitch, DO NOT DO THAT. Instead, continue around until you have a figure eight. Continue around with a second figure eight, doesn't even need to be tight. If it is to be long term holding make a couple of loose wraps around the base of the cleat. Simple friction will provide plenty of force to hold the line secure. The important part is that you will always be able to safely undo the line a wrap or part of a figure eight at a time to regulate the friction and release tension.

[@deediddy]

P. T. Anderson Seen it taught this way by many...none like you say. Make a video?

[@p.t.anderson1593]

I probably should, and I have thought about it, but... it's a bit like asking what it the best kind of oil to use on a motorcycling forum. The ensuing flame wars are impressive and yet ridiculous at the same time. I have been involved with some heated discussions regarding the practice of the locking loop or no locking loop in the comment sections on other videos. I was also unaware of what a common practice this locking loop thing was. My thinking was - Hey this should be obviously dangerous. Why would anyone do this? As it turns out, it's very common. A couple of people have pointed out that my training and experience came from line handling operations on larger ships. My sarcastic response was to ask if they thought that the principles of friction and potential energy storage only applied to larger ships with larger mooring lines...? Anyway, to answer your question a little more directly. I might do a video on the method I was taught, but I would expect it to attract a whole lot of comments from people, who watched a video like this one, who will tell me how it's wrong...

[@PhilosophyProf14]

This is the standard way cleat hitches are taught in sailing schools. Most of the time sailboats are tied to floating rather than fixed docks--maybe that's why? However, even in the case of a fixed dock with extreme tides, I don't see how your method prevents lines parting or cleats being ripped out: If your method is secure enough to prevent the boat from floating away, isn't also secure enough to pull the cleat out instead of slipping off under high load? I do understand how your method makes the line easier to release under load.

[@p.t.anderson1593]

You are probably right about the why being the use of floating docks. Even in the case of a floating dock, the use of a locking hitch is unnecessary. The method I described, not "my" method per se, is all about being able to safely release the tension on the line when several things have already gone wrong. Most mishaps are preceded by at least two or three seemingly innocent and unrelated/ unforeseen circumstances. For example, in Puget Sound most docks are floating because of the tides but sometimes a boater will tie directly to the fixed pier. Depending on the timing this can be okay or not. Add in a locking hitch and you likely take away the ability to release the tension safely. I've personally seen fingers sucked into the cleat hitch and mangled in one case. Imagine pushing the loose end of the rope towards the locking hitch under load. It jumps and then cinches down again but not before you can let go. In another case the tide had gone down and the boat owner tried to cut the stern line under tension with a pocket knife and it parted snapping back into the side of the hull which caused a lot of damage. Then in just a few seconds the current turned his boat about 90deg to the pier before the bow cleat ripped out, smashing into the pilings. At this point the boat was unsecured and unmanned. It very nearly sank another boat when it backed into it with the sterndrive. I've heard of lots of other dangerous mishaps, some caused by the use of the locking hitch in the running rigging on sailboats...

[@clarksong4619]

this is wrong. If you don't secure your vessel, it will float away. Your hitch method is actually described in 4:50 of this video and shown as "what not to do"

[@garyhawkesford2253]

Lol how to break it down Its not hard hey??