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Step 1
Loop a line strong enough to hold your boat around the base of the boat cleat. If the line is not strong enough, you may return to the dock to find a stretch of water where your boat used to float.
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Step 2
Bring the line up around one end, or horn, of the cleat. Pass it across the top of the cleat and back toward the other horn.
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Step 3
Pass the line under the second horn. Bring it back across the cleat in the opposite direction from the last cross you made. You should now have a figure eight on top of the cleat.
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Step 4
Carry the line around the first horn a second time, and then back toward the second horn, crossing the cleat again.
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Step 5
Make a loop with the end of the line. Roll the end of the line under and loop it over the second horn, pulling the end of the line parallel with the figure eight.
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Step 6
Pull the line taught. You've now tied the boat cleat. Use the long end of the line to secure your boat. If you're just pulling up to a dock momentarily and can stay with the boat, throw the end of the line around the cleat and hold on to it while you get ready to leave.
