How to Use Rope Cleats

Tie your boat up properly when you get back to the docks.

When you get back to the dock after a day spent sailing or boating, you need to tie the boat to the dock. Rope cleats are part of this solution as they are attached to a dock and offer a place to tie up to. Knowing how to properly use and tie off on a boat cleat allows you to bypass getting scuttled when heading out for your next journey.

Things You'll Need

• 2 lengths of sailing rope, 10 to 12 feet in length, 8 mm diameter

Instructions

1. Tie one of the rope lengths to the aft (rear) of the boat on the rope cleat using a cinch knot around the narrow portion of the cleat. Wrap one complete loop of rope around the bottom of the cleat.

2. Look down from atop the cleat to see the placement. With the longer side of the rope that is wrapped around the cleat wrap up to the adjacent side of the cleat forming one line of a diagonal criss-cross with the rope. Bring the rope back to the starting side of the cleat on the opposite side forming a criss-cross with the rope on the cleat.

3. Wrap the rope in the diagonal criss-cross fashion two more times for a total of three wraps. When done, take the end of the remaining portion of the rope and place it on the deck of the boat and begin turning it in a circle so it begins to coil. Coil the remaining rope so it rests flat in a circle against the deck, preventing knotting and tangling.

4. Pick up the coiled rope when the boat comes into dock. Wrap one full wrap around the cleat on the dock and begin the criss-cross pattern form Steps 2 and 3, coiling the extra length to the dock next to the cleat.

5. Repeat steps one through four with the cleats at the front of the boat.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not tie loop knots on a rope cleat. This leads to potential scuttling (rope knotting or confusion) when casting off.

References

• Animated Knots by Grog: Cleat Hitch