How to: Tie your boat up safely and securely | Motor Boat & Yachting

[@treydrier3169]

I've been a boater on large yachts for over 20 years. A locking turn is necessary as the final "knot" to secure the line and boat. I have never had a locking turn that I could not undo (as someone else stated below). Maybe it's just me but I would not feel secure with simple figure 8's.

[@justintaylor375]

Exactly... the lack of the turn was stressing me out!

[@liquidhighway]

On the thames we call this a pin hitch. But yes totally agree always finish off with one to secure, its the first thing i noticed watching the video

[@tylerw1418]

Exactly what I was going to say. I do the locking of the rope and I only have a $1,500 boat.

[@NilsHedstrom]

Same here! This video was great and showed everything well but I also got stressed when he didn't do any locking turns, I always do them and have the same experience, I always get them up easy.

[@corail53]

@@justintaylor375 A figure 8 won't untie itself by it's nature - they are constrictor knots - the more tension on it the tighter they become. A lock is just added redundancy but not needed.

[@DrCrabfingers]

Interesting..."a dreadful locking turn" I thought locking turns looked sensible. But as you say there are many ways to tie up a boat...I always enjoy your tutorials...you're an excellent tutor!

[@anonymousperson2578]

Good job bloke. I neva considered using a single rope for dock line and spring line.

[@rickedwards7276]

Everything in Boating is controversial of course. I was originally taught not to take a full turn around the cleat then do my figure eights and finish with the locking turn. Always used that and never had any trouble with it. I found if I do a full turn around cleat before the figure 8 the lines tend to bind on them selves and make it hard to undo. But really, whatever works for you the way you diet is fine. I understand that if I were dealing with a boat considerably larger and heavier than mine 30 foot sailboat that a single figure 8 with a locking turn might cinch up and be hard to undo. One big variable that is rarely talked about is the size of the cleat relative to the line. That requires a little thought and an adaptation to be secure.

[@9531-d7w]

I have a single outboard and no bow thruster on my 23’ center console. When approaching a fuel dock I usually tie up the bow first and then bump it in reverse angling it towards the dock and securing the stern line.

[@bradcalhoun6213]

I have had trouble in the past when i use a full turn on the cleat with the line cinching on itself from pressure on the line from the dock. Know what I mean? That is why I usually do not use a full turn initially, rather 3/4 turn.

[@richguest]

As a professional seaman for over 30 years I can confirm there’s nothing wrong with ‘dreadful locking turns’

[@treydrier3169]

@Ari Sherr I use them all the time and have never had the problem of it not coming off. Never.

[@liquidhighway]

We call it a pin hitch rather than locking turn but yes i noticed the same, always use one to secure on a cleat. They can jam under tension and with weight on larger boats if for example one round turn and then a locking turn is applied to a pin and the rope is bar tight for example but again experience says to apply a few turns prior to take weight

[@blewyd]

@@liquidhighway I'm not sure about that. I've seen super yachts that are over 250 feet use those "locking turns", I would assume those lines have a lot if stress on them at times... I've even seen tug boats use them.

[@liquidhighway]

@@blewyd there isn't anything wrong with it but i was trying to say that under load and tension especially on tugs you sometimes may not be able to undo the pin hitch until the weight or rope slackens

[@blewyd]

@@liquidhighway that's understandable, I've never experienced a locked hitch myself, but I assume it can happen.

[@georgemulligan8958]

How not to use a cleat properly

[@busterevetts1864]

Excellent video Jon.. You explain things so well.. Keep up the great work..

[@amcconnell6730]

It is worth noting that the US Coast Guard no longer locks cleat hitches for any reason because of an incident involving ice where they couldn’t get the line off the cleat that had a lock as part of the knot. Now they use many figure eight loops around both horns to tie off lines. The Washington ferries use the same method for their dock lines, and for working lines where getting the line off quickly is even more important, such as with a headsail sheet, never lock it.

[@psuro]

Not a boater but that was clear and succinct for anyone to understand and follow. Well done.

[@nando03012009]

Just bought my first boat to wakeboard. This info is very good! I have a lot to learn! Yes I am a noob but we all have to start somewhere

[@lightspeed72]

I'm a commercial small ferry operator. I use locking turns everyday during dockings and to tie up the boats every night. Interesting.

[@tobylots]

Jon can you recommend any courses in Motor Boating in the UK ?

[@youngypaul]

The 2 figure of 8's seems to go against popular idea of 1 figure 8 and a "dreadful locking turn"

[@djmini2numpty141]

curious, why do you hate the "locking turns" ? btw, loving your videos, learing and relearning heaps. Frank from down under

[@djmini2numpty141]

thanks for the reply .....not

[@wissiwizard4536]

@@djmini2numpty141they can freeze apparently

[@z-man7883]

Finally a clear video that addresses all the confusion from other videos

[@PowerboatTraining]

The dreadful locking turn. Love it 😂

[@DaBrute]

"dreadful locking turn" aka the way normal people tie off a boat if hope to still find it when they get back...

[@rikstone7059]

Using both fixed loop ends at the centre cleat can avoid short ends.

[@CatTrades]

Please talk about “dipping the eye” or how to share a dockside cleat at public mooring sites. Too many peeps just don’t get it.

[@Harrybollox]

I assume there is another video where it’s not a floating dock and the tidal change is notable . As to the figure 8, I grew up with figure 8s and no locking half hitches , navy dad from the old days. horses for courses anyway , I switch between with and with not these days depending on mood and size of the cleat. The final “circle” at the bottom of the figure 8 with a jerk to tighten , I’ve never seen such a figure 8 come loose

[@pickering9200]

Great videos, I've only been boating for one summer, now I'm addicted and these videos could be aimed at me. Much appreciated.

[@blewyd]

Dont take his word he doesn't know much more than a beginner.

[@lancer525]

@@blewyd And yet we don't see your fat ass getting up from behind your monitor to produce any videos showing how to do this. As a result, I'd be far more inclined to take his word and experience for it, than I would yours.

[@darrenhillman8396]

Have to disagree about 'dreadful locking turns'. I use them on my boat as that is what my RYA instructor taught me to do, and they work. So I shall continue to use that method. I do take Jons point about leading into the cleat though.

[@Kilt_Bilt]

Darren Hillman So does the USCG safety course, and they have far more experience than this chump

[@thearchibaldtuttle]

Agree, the locking turn is a must IMHO!

[@alanj9391]

BM - you may not like him, but he is experienced. He was the RYA chief motor and power boat instructor for a few years, and is the author of training handbooks used worldwide.

[@lancer525]

@@alanj9391 And yet there are still a bunch of wannabe experts who proclaim to the world just how they think it should be done. Never seen a one of them get up off their fat arses to produce the first video showing their technique. Maybe the crumbs from the baloney sandwiches their momma sends down to the basement are creating too many problems for them.

[@WreckedRectum]

I have also been on a RYA course and our instructor taught us the way the guy in the video does it. It will not undo itself and doing locking turns on a cleat is not necessary. You will rip the cleat off the boat before it unties. It is also the way the RYA handbook describes.

[@LovingAtlanta]

❓Does anyone know exactly what kind / make / model / name / size of the boat / yacht used in this demo?

[@LovingAtlanta]

Bernardo Hagen - 🙏🙏🙏🙏Thank you!!!💝

[@CCWSig]

All the rude comments. Different strokes for different folks. I personally don't like the figure eight method you show as I believe it looks messy and looks like someone didn't know how to tie a cleat properly, whether or not it's a accepted method. If it works, keep doing it though. Beautiful boat, thanks for posting.

[@michaelanderson7715]

"All the rude comments." FOLLOWED BY... "Different strokes for different folks. I personally don't like the figure eight method you show as I believe it looks messy and looks like someone didn't know how to tie a cleat properly, whether or not it's a accepted method." - IRONY, IT BURNS

[@BillBlast7372]

I have a quick question.....I'm not familiar with much about boating, but what is the purpose of a spring line?? I'm guessing it might be for when the tides/water level fluctuates, it has the springiness to help absorb or compensate for the level differences??

[@AdmiralBlackBeard]

Bill Blast spring lines keep the boat from moving forward and backwards.

[@OEV16Regional]

Can some please tell me the make and model of this fine boat please.

[@HurricanePlaysMC]

It's an Azimut Atlantis 43

[@garryhall9660]

when i come alongside for the night i will deploy a slip line and then if i am staying overnight i will add a line with a loop to make a permanent line.when i want to go in the morning hey presto you perm lines come in and you are left with the slips ready to go. on the springs i believe there is one rope for one job. that way if the rear spring has weight on it the boat won't go backwards if you have to take that line off to make a slip.

[@BEN10TO10]

As a new comer to boating, what is the purpose of the 'spring' ?

[@MotorBoatYachting]

We've got a whole other video on exactly that topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYXXeoaKhdCZaKs

[@morgan17121712]

I was taught to always make the lines fast on the vessel so that there is no trip hazard left on the dock. RYA recommended a bowline with an extra turn around the centre of the cleat to prevent chafe and then "circle, figure eight, circle, circle" or " O800" on the ships cleat. I was taught that any excess line left on the board should be secured to the lifelines or railing with a cow hitch, preventing a trip hazard on deck.

[@drloppy]

Nice Azimut. What size is it; a 43 Atlantis?

[@VA7ACG]

What happens if the tide rises or falls by 2-6 feet??

[@MotorBoatYachting]

The pontoon is designed to float up and down with tide

[@VA7ACG]

@@MotorBoatYachting What if the dock doesn't move with the tide?

[@BrianPletcher1]

@@VA7ACG Avoid tying short lines straight from the boat to the dock. In his example, the two spring lines would likely be OK since they're at a steep angle and fairly long. You'd want to run the stern line either to a cleat farther aft on the dock, or near the middle of the vessel on the dock. Same for the bow line (father forward or middle). Probably a good idea to keep an eye on it through a tide cycle the first few times you do this though to make sure you did it right!

[@LovingAtlanta]

😩I’m sorry but there is no way I feel comfortable with figure 8s and no locking turn.😔😩

[@mikebagwell8229]

True cleat hitches are not only more secure than a double figure-eight, but they also take up less space on the cleat. So, if you only have one midship cleat, two cleat hitches-one on top of another-will fit more easily.

[@dalefountain9269]

Very helpfull!

[@knifesharpeningnorway]

What do you think about the norwegian pioner boats? For example the 15 allround or 17 flexi or the multi thats a small katamaran type hull.

[@brian.7966]

If you're doing it right you come up against the tide and you put the bow line on first not the stern line as you illustrated, so if there is a lot of tide or wind it won`t take the bow away.

[@4toes1nose]

Thank you

[@dirtyblond2332]

Hopefully someone finds my boat soon. Will tie it up like this next time...

[@97VobraOwner]

Without the locking turn how does the rope stay secured, you never show that on the video.

[@CCWSig]

He is relying on the friction of the overlapping figure eights. I personally dont like this method as I think it looks messy, like a 3 year old tied up, but it is a secure method none the less.

[@TERMIN8TOR99]

@@CCWSig cant tie a knot, tie a lot😂

[@mikebagwell8229]

@@CCWSig It's literally how I used to tie to cleats when I was 3. 😄

[@johnwild757]

No locks on your figure eights ? Next video please

[@thegeminiguy1065]

We members of the U.S. Navy thank you for showing a not hot tie off your boat video.

[@andrewarmstrong7310]

Good video.

[@marktindal2186]

Thank you for another great video!

[@gregorysgarrison]

what if you are by yourself?

[@rainylakeboy]

Work fast and have a boat hook in your hand.

[@Steelviper61]

Nice! Thank you for the informative video.

[@johncooper2707]

A single turn, 2 figure of 8’s and a final single turn is RYA recommended, as shown on this helpful video

[@Balkanjeros1]

Very poor advice for those without bowthruster....when you approach you approach with bow first with angle to dock,as your bow is about 3meters from dock you push thrust in revers a little bit 2-3 times and stern comes to dock slowly. While doing that you can hop to dock and tie it yourself...you dont need a crew.

[@paterson00]

Throw a line over the cleat from the boat and make off on the boat. Shouldn't be stepping off the boat until it's secure. What control do you have if you step off the boat and slip over, lose the line and the current takes your boat? None.. secure before stepping off.

[@simonlovell5141]

What’s wrong with a locking turn??

[@henrypattinson9118]

It's just safer to make several unlocked turns. A locking turn can jam and should therefore just be used when you need to

[@matthewsellers82]

I've heard about this jamming, never (including when I lived on a working charter boat for 3 years) even under a powered load seen it. My personal belief is that even a half wrap around the base of the cleat takes the vast majority of any load. Some interesting recent videos on the importance of the correct size of line to cleat may explain some of the old stories, your experiance may be different

[@simonlovell5141]

Matthew Sellers thanks for the input. I only have a small 27ft power boat and have never had an issue in the 10 years I’ve been using them but am always open to better/new ideas. As long as it doesn’t come loose in heavy weather I’m not too worried

[@johnhaggerty1836]

Simon Lovell )

[@TERMIN8TOR99]

Its DREADFUL 😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@speedracer6294]

Use a locking turn.

[@masterful7574]

That is not a proper stern line. It has no lead. It is a breast line.

[@ro4317]

Cleat work is so wrong. it amazes me how many completely incorrect videos are out there about tying to a cleat.

[@michae8jackson378]

Very nice, thank you!

[@jayhome2715]

Ok I got the tie off down.......not how can I afford the boat.......? :-|

[@MotorBoatYachting]

Save, save and save some more!

[@matellanin16]

Así no se amarra un barco

[@markbrown332]

I say tie it however you want! Its your boat! Worry about more important shit! Like, Is there enough head room with the tilt steering wheel?

[@rastapete100]

There is obviously more than one way to tie to a cleat. If your method works then it is good. I don't understand the angry comments when someone does things differently.

[@Kilt_Bilt]

You don't lock (hitch) your "figure 8" ??? That's just STUPID !!! that last LOOP you do does not hitch the 8.

[@iamchuckwarren]

Missing a fair amount of info here. I like the concepts you are trying to teach but you're leaving our critical starting points and theories. And, sorry but I completely disagree with your method of tying off on a dockside cleat. Wraps man, then knot. No one seems to understand this concepts anymore.

[@markbrown332]

The dreadful locking turn😀

[@zeake13]

figur of 8 is inferior to the dreadful locking turn . . . . . . .

[@Kilt_Bilt]

"dreadful locking turns ??" They are, But only if your pink and moisturized little hands are to delicate Nancy boy.

[@willmoss1720]

That’s not a proper clear hitch in the US whether half or full hitch. Maybe different across the homeland pond? Most of Europe requires a full hitch.

[@ronaldmalcolm5609]

I can't believe how unprofessional this video is. Everyone knows that that before you do any tying up, you always ask for a safe word. Pfft, amateurs.

[@Dcpietsch]

Very poor cleat hitches, or attempts a cleat hitches

[@nickchatburn]

Yet another video with a "cheat" bow thruster... Let's see some vids on a single out drive, no bow thruster, 29' boat and 8knot currents against 27knot cross wind. Then I would be impressed, being a beginner, i have to deal with this kind of thing all the time in my local marina.

[@wtf0101]

If you don't know how to tie up your boat you shouldn't have one,lol

[@CCWSig]

We aren't born with this knowledge, everyone had to learn somehow. Dont be a dick.

[@joestevenson5568]

@@CCWSig Yeah, but you should learn before you buy a boat

[@tlteal]

bow thrusters.......

[@ro4317]

Totally incorrect cleat hitches. Awful.