How to Tie a Cleat Knot

A cleat knot, or cleat hitch, allows you to secure a line from one of the strong cleats on your boat to a dock or even another boat. Tying the cleat knot correctly keeps your boat safely in place and allows you enough peace of mind to leave the boat.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Take a generous length of line and pass it underneath the safety rails of the boat. Wrap the line around the base of the cleat for one full wrap so the line crosses itself once.
2. Cross the line over one of the horns of the cleat and then pass the line under the horn. Then, bring the line up to cross itself on the top, center part of the cleat and take it around the second horn. Make sure the line is firm against the base of the cleat after you pass it around the second horn.
3. Hold the line in the air and make a loop in the line by twisting it once. Place the loop over the horn you first placed the line across, making sure that the end of the line runs towards the rest of the cleat and not away from it. The result should be that the third crossing of the cleat sits parallel to and on the same side as the second crossing of the cleat.
4. Pull the knot tight and make sure all lines run freely and are not in danger of being caught or tangled in other lines.