How to Tie a Cleat Hitch | Boating Tips

Learn how to tie a basic cleat hitch with GetMyBoat. Want travel + boating tips plus exclusive opportunities and exciting announcements? Sign up for our newsletter ⇢ http://eepurl.com/zwLqX (We'll never spam you.) In this video, you'll learn how to tie a cleat hitch for a recreational boat roughly 50 feet. We used a J170 sailboat in this video. Follow the steps below to learn how to properly tie a cleat hitch. Step 1: Wrap the line under the horn of the cleat, around the backside of the cleat first, then the side furthest away from the opposite attaching point. The angle of the line from the cleat to the other attaching point should be less than 90 degrees. Step 2: Turn the line ¾ of the way around the base of the cleat. Do not cross over the line under the horns that goes towards the opposite attaching point. Step 3: Lift the line over the cleat, crossing the top, and then wrap the line under the horn. It should look like the beginning of a figure 8. Step 4: Pull the line back over the top towards the opposite cleat horn, crossing over the line that was just wrapped around the cleat horn. Make a small loop in the line and place the loop over the opposite cleat horn. Pull the line tight. It is important to spin the loop properly so that end result is one line over two perpendicular lines. If done correctly, the line will easily unload when needed. Looking for more tips? Check out the GetMyBoat resource center! ▸ How to Tie a Slip Hitch: http://ow.ly/qi8gt ▸ How to Tie a Bowline Knot: http://ow.ly/qi8rh

How to Tie a Cleat Hitch | Boating Tips sentiment_very_dissatisfied 83

Boat 12 years ago 412,199 views

Learn how to tie a basic cleat hitch with GetMyBoat. Want travel + boating tips plus exclusive opportunities and exciting announcements? Sign up for our newsletter ⇢ http://eepurl.com/zwLqX (We'll never spam you.) In this video, you'll learn how to tie a cleat hitch for a recreational boat roughly 50 feet. We used a J170 sailboat in this video. Follow the steps below to learn how to properly tie a cleat hitch. Step 1: Wrap the line under the horn of the cleat, around the backside of the cleat first, then the side furthest away from the opposite attaching point. The angle of the line from the cleat to the other attaching point should be less than 90 degrees. Step 2: Turn the line ¾ of the way around the base of the cleat. Do not cross over the line under the horns that goes towards the opposite attaching point. Step 3: Lift the line over the cleat, crossing the top, and then wrap the line under the horn. It should look like the beginning of a figure 8. Step 4: Pull the line back over the top towards the opposite cleat horn, crossing over the line that was just wrapped around the cleat horn. Make a small loop in the line and place the loop over the opposite cleat horn. Pull the line tight. It is important to spin the loop properly so that end result is one line over two perpendicular lines. If done correctly, the line will easily unload when needed. Looking for more tips? Check out the GetMyBoat resource center! ▸ How to Tie a Slip Hitch: http://ow.ly/qi8gt ▸ How to Tie a Bowline Knot: http://ow.ly/qi8rh

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Most popular comments
for How to Tie a Cleat Hitch | Boating Tips

skymailer37
skymailer37 - 6 years ago
Thanks Cap!
Diane Holycross
Diane Holycross - 6 years ago
Do you have a video on now to walk your boat around at a slip? For example, right now my houseboat is docked with the bow forward. I understand that you can walk the boat off the dock with a rope on the stern, push off the bow of the boat to one side, and pull the boat around rope, without starting it up. Then it can easily be pulled back into the slip. I can't find a video on it. Someone told me it's "walking the boat," but there is nothing.
Boat Owners United
Boat Owners United - 7 years ago
Hey guys! Check out our EXPLODING Facebook group! We are all boat owners sharing our experiences, tips, videos, photos, etc. Come hang out with us! www.Facebook.com/groups/boatownersunited
LegalShield Independent Associate Ron Schmidt
LegalShield Independent Associate Ron Schmidt - 7 years ago
Your sharp angle approach to the cleat puts all the pressure on the far side bolt. Coming in on a shallow angle spreads the load to both bolts.
OMGWTFLOL
OMGWTFLOL - 7 years ago
Half the commenters saying this is the correct method, half of them saying this is wrong. WTF? What is it people? Gotta love the internet, filled with everyone's "opinions".
pforce9
pforce9 - 7 years ago
A cleat hitch is really a clove hitch on a cleat.
Mark Hopkins
Mark Hopkins - 8 years ago
OXO is all you need on any size of boat. Defy anyone to get this off easily when under strain, ie the boat is being blown off the pontoon. Glad I dont sail with this guy.
dene8989
dene8989 - 8 years ago
waaaaay to complicated, making a mountain out of a mole hill, just put few half hitches on that puppy, done, no need to think too hard about it
Dana Govang
Dana Govang - 8 years ago
When done correctly, as shown here, the locking turn cannot jam. The locking turn will only jam if one doesn't do a complete all-around turn followed by at least two cross-over turns. When attached correctly, the locking turn carries very little loading and is always easy to unlock. Also, many make the mistake of doing the locking turn in the wrong direction; After the initial all-around, every other turn must cross the cleat.

10. comment for How to Tie a Cleat Hitch | Boating Tips

flick22601
flick22601 - 9 years ago
NEVER underwrap the last loop. NEVER. The purpose of a cleat is to fasten a line by friction. When a pull is exerted on the line, it will tighten on the cleat. Should the line around the cleat become tight say, an object trying to drag your boat under or a load that is increasing toward the lines breaking point, you won't be able to loosen it. Just do the figure 8's and be done with it.
warjacare
warjacare - 9 years ago
Captain Dave, it ties the boat well, but the last locking turn SHALL NOT be done! Unless you have a special need to to do it. 
Not long ago I learned from the British Navy that it is safer to make several unlocked turns. It might not look beautiful but makes it safer to untie the boat.  Me and probably 99% of all sailors have been tying the boat the way you show here for ages, but unfortunately it can jam. It happend to me in the past.
John Green
John Green - 7 years ago
This demonstrated method is the standard for recreational boats, roughly <50' as the narrator indicated. Perhaps you come from a military naval background in the context of much larger ships ... and perhaps your 99% are your old ship mates. Just guessing.
Gary Souza
Gary Souza - 7 years ago
You must have done something wrong. I've never had it jam after 45 years of doing it this way in all conditions.
MrWolfsack
MrWolfsack - 10 years ago
Are you really a captain?
Tom Dooley
Tom Dooley - 7 years ago
My boat is 14 ft why can't I be a Captain too?
Mazda rx7
Mazda rx7 - 9 years ago
+MrWolfsack IDK man it seems like everybody here are that owns a boat over 15 feet is a captain. But form the mistakes and bad advice I see on YouTube it kinda makes you wonder. Lots of weird docking procedures and practices but Captain Ron does it best
PineappleOranges
PineappleOranges - 10 years ago
Thumbs up for just tying a proper cleat hitch. It makes me frown when I see them tied incorrectly.
Don Zunner
Don Zunner - 10 years ago
The editing on this is driving me batshit.
Peter Dimako
Peter Dimako - 7 years ago
lol! Me too. Absolutely horrible.
Doug Doty
Doug Doty - 10 years ago
New boaters,... this is the correct way to tie a cleat hitch, other youtube videos are not right !!!
daveumpref
daveumpref - 10 years ago
I'm a novice and I was taught this.  Simple and proper
kandi zanese
kandi zanese - 11 years ago
did you come out of the locker    dave   hehe
Jørn Juhl
Jørn Juhl - 11 years ago
Det kunne nogle af mine gæster lære meget af.
Jørn Juhl
Jørn Juhl - 11 years ago
Det ser forfærdeligt ud. Kunne han lave den viste, ville jeg være imponeret.
Lasse Juhl
Lasse Juhl - 11 years ago
Er det her ikke lidt federe? Best Dock Line Handler EVER
Jørn Juhl
Jørn Juhl - 11 years ago
Gaster - stavekontrol er ikke altid formålstjenligt.
92chrisbentley
92chrisbentley - 11 years ago
I've been a dockhand/assistant dockmaster for 6 years now at a very popular marina and it is unbelievable how many boaters cant get this simple knot right

20. comment for How to Tie a Cleat Hitch | Boating Tips

GetMyBoat
GetMyBoat - 11 years ago
Thanks, Captain Dave!
Carsten Hoei
Carsten Hoei - 11 years ago
I'm sorry. But this wrong!
CCWSig
CCWSig - 11 years ago
Thanks for posting proper information
Argus Brown
Argus Brown - 11 years ago
Glad to see a properly tied cleat hitch. It is amazing to me how many boaters don't know this essential knot.
MrJle3cnn
MrJle3cnn - 11 years ago
very helpful thanks

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