Hands down the best video on cleat hitches out there. Every boater should watch this. The 210 thumbs down came from haters who can't tie a cleat hitch and refuse to learn. Probably the same guys that dock their boats without any fenders.
First thank you for the informative video. Now after reading quite a few comments I noticed how many people are calling line rope. This is the way it is people it starts out as rope but once you assign a a job such as bow line , spring line, anchor line xcetera . It ceases to be called a rope it is now a line. That is as long as that line is fastened to the boat. And a exception would be a piece of rope tied to a bucket to retrieve seawater would still be a piece of rope. I hope this make sense to you.
That was so cool. I've been sailing for years and no one has ever explained a cleat hitch as clear and simply as that... Cheers from Melbourne Australia
What a fantastic video! Covers three very common mistakes or unknown concepts to many people. 1) Half-wrap vs. full wrap, 2) multi-wrap vs. extra loops for holding, 3) importance of line diameter to cleat size, and what to do in the case of size mismatch. Well done!
I guess my father taught me right; he always insisted on a full wrap cleat hitch. I can hear him in my head as I write this telling me to wrap it all the way around, which he thought he needed to remind me every summer for forty years. Understanding the need for the multi-wrap based on line size was helpful. Thanks.
Outstanding explanation and demonstration! The progressions clearly show the incremental benefits, and relativity between the options. Thanks for the great work!
Thank you! I learned my lesson today!😉 Last week I was boating with some novices who always made the multi wrap. And I said „Nono! That’s not the way to do it!“ Now I have to apologize.😇
Thank you for your wonderful videos. I've pointed multiple friends to these as you do a great job of explaining the how and the why. I just made a purchase from APS due to these videos, too!
Great! And it is very helpful to see the difference between the european and american style cleat hitch. I didn't know the multi wrap cleat hitch. Happy to learn something again! Thank you for publishing this video!
Hi Peter, don't let unsettle you. This video mix up a few things. There is no difference between the US standard and the European Version of tying a cleat hitch. I'm a German instructor and examiner. I work in Germany, Spain, Greece, Croatia, New Zealand as instructor. I really know the differences. ;-))
Great video and informative . News to me a lifelong boater was the multi wrap . I have always used a full wrap. I taught my granddaughter how to tie up to a cleat when she was 5 years old and by the time that she was six I no longer had to check her work. Take care .
I expereienced the 2nd happiest day in a boat owners life years ago BUT i'm a passenger of friends' boats, I rent AND i'm that guy standing on the dock when you pull up and i'll take your line. THIS is truly one of the most worthwhile YT videos I have ever watched ( im looking for something about wwii holsters...)! thank you!
Another advantage of the full or multi wrap is if the line is pulled very hard , it will not allow the cross tucks to overtighten and bind up , which can result in having to cut the line off the horn. Good demo !
Great video! I've always been taught to use the half wrap technique, I wish I would've seen this at the beginning of July. I had my boat in the water at our cabin July 4th, I had it tied off with half wrapped cleat hitches and of course it had to storm. I had to go down to my boat to retie it to the dock countless times because the boat was bobbing like a cork & pulling line out of the cleats. It will be fully wrapped at night, or during a storm from now on, thank you for the tips!
I learned to sail in the UK and was taught to do a full round turn, figure of eight, then full round turn to finish it off. No tucks - tucks bad. I will add to the conversation by saying I’ve never had a cleated line slip doing it that way and agree that tucks bad: when you’re sailing in miserably cold weather, and you’ve lost dexterity in your fingers or have gloves on, tucks are unacceptably cumbersome to negotiate in an emergency (dropping mainsail for example). Turn, eight, turn, you can undo with frozen hands. Not saying any other way is wrong - just horses to courses
Excellent video !! Just bought my first boat. It's a 20' wind catching pontoon. My line has been slipping and now i know why. Thank you for explaining more wraps vs more knots and line diameter.
Very best video. We live aboard the 80’ ShipsAhoy! and I’m always retying these lines with a full wrap after someone helps us dock. Also, lines get longer when wet so may have to be tied again anyway. The difficulty comes when you have to attach double lines in hurricane conditions and the cleats aren’t big enough to allow for two full wraps. Best we can do is put the loop ends on opposite sides and then tie one full wrap on each cleat. Thank you for your excellent boater education. We all appreciate it very much.
Not long ago, i was fishing (rod/reel and line) with someone who had worked on commercial seiner fishing vessels for 20 years and the cleat "knot" he used shocked us all since it came from the school of "can't tie a knot, tie a lot"
At 1:29 when you say "once around the 2nd horn", you might mention why that is important. Which is to have the base of the cleat take the load. I have seen the horn break off because the line was not wrapped around the 2nd horn, but instead crossed over the top before wrapping around the 2nd horn.
Not an expert! All those methods finish with a half hitch which should never, ever be done. Anybody that uses those on my boat gets escorted off the boat immediately.
Very handy-I'm a kayaker, and always have a 1/4" short line on hand on my foredeck. Occasionally I need to tie up to an 8" cleat at public docks. I've never had my boat drift away on me, but that seems to have been luck more than my knotwork. Wrapping the legs of the cleat like a winch is the key, then lock it down with the figure 8.
I wish every boater would see this! I worked for a small cruise line in San Diego many years ago and a captain took the time to show everyone a proper cleat. I think he was getting frustrated when the 176' schooner was close to leaving on her own!
Kyle, that is another excellent video. Good demo, good narration, clear lesson. Well done! Will share. Have subscribed because of your good videos. Keep up the good work.
Excellent, didn't know how to figure out the right size cleat for the right size line, had previously used the SWAG* method. * Sophisticated Wild A$$ Guess. Thanks for the info!
Thank you so much for this video. I made a comment on another video that claimed that the half-wrap cleat hitch was the only one that was "proper", that my lines often slip using that hitch, and that I usually add a wrap or two to be confident. I was criticized by some self-claimed "old salts". You have vindicated me!
This is the best video ever, I can see from the comments people like to wrap, loop and figure 8 and finish with knots till they run out of rope.. noobs.. I been doing it this way for over 35 years and never had any problems losing a boat nor any worries. I can tie off my boat in a second and your right about the size of the cleat and the rope, I use 3/8 in. double braided nylon rope and it works just fine for the lake and river docks I visit with my 20 foot Capri SS and I do come across different sizes of cleats to tie off and this video explains it very well but nobody listens so maybe you need to do a video for some of the folks on here about using chain link and a shackle to tie up their boat. Great Video 2 Thumbs Up..
One of the few videos where the full/European cleat hitch is even acknowledged and even explain why/when you should use it as well as the even less discussed multi -pas- wrap
![Learn 5 KNOTS for Sailing [Capable Cruising Guides]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fvh_LWBaomg/mqdefault.jpg)
Hands down the best video on cleat hitches out there. Every boater should watch this. The 210 thumbs down came from haters who can't tie a cleat hitch and refuse to learn. Probably the same guys that dock their boats without any fenders.
I'm knot going to forget these instructions!
Boating over 50 years. Almost didn't watch but glad I did. Great stuff about matching knot to cleat and line. 2 thumbs up!
very informative, Think im going to have to take a ride to the dock later and fix all my lines lol
First thank you for the informative video. Now after reading quite a few comments I noticed how many people are calling line rope. This is the way it is people it starts out as rope but once you assign a a job such as bow line , spring line, anchor line xcetera . It ceases to be called a rope it is now a line. That is as long as that line is fastened to the boat. And a exception would be a piece of rope tied to a bucket to retrieve seawater would still be a piece of rope. I hope this make sense to you.
That was so cool. I've been sailing for years and no one has ever explained a cleat hitch as clear and simply as that... Cheers from Melbourne Australia
Rustie
I always had powerboats but I went out 2-3 days weekly in season and I was never shown either.
Time to get another boat so I can try them out!
BeauJameson p
What a fantastic video! Covers three very common mistakes or unknown concepts to many people. 1) Half-wrap vs. full wrap, 2) multi-wrap vs. extra loops for holding, 3) importance of line diameter to cleat size, and what to do in the case of size mismatch. Well done!
I guess my father taught me right; he always insisted on a full wrap cleat hitch. I can hear him in my head as I write this telling me to wrap it all the way around, which he thought he needed to remind me every summer for forty years. Understanding the need for the multi-wrap based on line size was helpful. Thanks.
This should be a standard video when purchasing, renting a water craft. Great demo on how they can come loose and how to prevent it. Hats off to you.
Thanks.. No wonder why my boat was found 3 miles down the coast. JK. I learned something. Well done explanation and video production.
Thanks, been boating over 50 years and didn’t know why I was doing it the right way, lol, you explained it perfectly. Thanks
EVERY boat owner should know this - and if they don't ... WATCH this video! (thank you for making this!)
This channel is what i call hitting the jackpot in sailing advice and info.
One of the best knot videos I’ve seen with great “why” explanations. Thanks
The BEST treatment of cleat hitches that I've seen. Thanks.
Been a dockhand and a sailor my whole life. Thanks for explaining the details of why it works.
Excellent video, sailing all my life, never even thought of the smaller lines, just used extra figure of eights! Lesson learned!!!! Thanks!
Incredibly helpful. Thank you!
Outstanding explanation and demonstration! The progressions clearly show the incremental benefits, and relativity between the options. Thanks for the great work!
Best most complete cleat hitch video on CZcams.
great info, speech and presentation. well done
Perfect demonstration and explanation of the correct way to tie a cleat hitch and keep your boat secure.
Thank you! I learned my lesson today!😉 Last week I was boating with some novices who always made the multi wrap. And I said „Nono! That’s not the way to do it!“ Now I have to apologize.😇
Thank you for your wonderful videos. I've pointed multiple friends to these as you do a great job of explaining the how and the why. I just made a purchase from APS due to these videos, too!
Great! And it is very helpful to see the difference between the european and american style cleat hitch. I didn't know the multi wrap cleat hitch. Happy to learn something again! Thank you for publishing this video!
Hi Peter,
don't let unsettle you.
This video mix up a few things.
There is no difference between the US standard and the European Version of tying a cleat hitch.
I'm a German instructor and examiner. I work in Germany, Spain, Greece, Croatia, New Zealand as instructor. I really know the differences. ;-))
Thank you! Just purchased my first 31' boat and have much to learn. Scratch this from the list.
Nice video with excellent instruction. The line diameter versus horn cleat was very useful. Thank you
Very clearly presented and worth the six minutes to be certain about something we seem to have to practice often to get right.
Great video and informative . News to me a lifelong boater was the multi wrap . I have always used a full wrap. I taught my granddaughter how to tie up to a cleat when she was 5 years old and by the time that she was six I no longer had to check her work. Take care .
Wow! So glad I viewed this vid. Been sailing since 1986, never new this! Thanks APS!!
I expereienced the 2nd happiest day in a boat owners life years ago BUT i'm a passenger of friends' boats, I rent AND i'm that guy standing on the dock when you pull up and i'll take your line. THIS is truly one of the most worthwhile YT videos I have ever watched ( im looking for something about wwii holsters...)! thank you!
Great video, useful information and explanation of why to use the different methods. Thanks!
Another advantage of the full or multi wrap is if the line is pulled very hard , it will not allow the cross tucks to overtighten and bind up , which can result in having to cut the line off the horn.
Good demo !
The best cleat tying video on CZcams.
Great video! I've always been taught to use the half wrap technique, I wish I would've seen this at the beginning of July. I had my boat in the water at our cabin July 4th, I had it tied off with half wrapped cleat hitches and of course it had to storm. I had to go down to my boat to retie it to the dock countless times because the boat was bobbing like a cork & pulling line out of the cleats. It will be fully wrapped at night, or during a storm from now on, thank you for the tips!
This is certainly THE best video about cleat hitch. Congrats!
I learned to sail in the UK and was taught to do a full round turn, figure of eight, then full round turn to finish it off. No tucks - tucks bad. I will add to the conversation by saying I’ve never had a cleated line slip doing it that way and agree that tucks bad: when you’re sailing in miserably cold weather, and you’ve lost dexterity in your fingers or have gloves on, tucks are unacceptably cumbersome to negotiate in an emergency (dropping mainsail for example). Turn, eight, turn, you can undo with frozen hands. Not saying any other way is wrong - just horses to courses
Nice! Learned a few new things. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you sir! Finally someone who explains it so well with all the different configurations!!!
Easy to understand. Well presented! 👍
Excellent video !! Just bought my first boat. It's a 20' wind catching pontoon. My line has been slipping and now i know why. Thank you for explaining more wraps vs more knots and line diameter.
Excellent video and presentation! Thank you!
Great video, I did know the proper tie for a halfwrap. Never knew about the others. And thanks so much for the sizing info. Well done!!
Great video, hadn't thought of some of the points raised here.
Fantastic tutorial. Thank you
That was awesome.... Thanks
Such a good explanation!! Thank you for sharing
Great lesson. It's nice that you showed it is the wraps that hold, not the figure 8 around the horns.
Thanks for the useful video. I didn't know about the third hitch and will definitely use it in the future.
Excellent presentation. Thank you very much!
Phenomenal video! Thank you.
Very best video. We live aboard the 80’ ShipsAhoy! and I’m always retying these lines with a full wrap after someone helps us dock. Also, lines get longer when wet so may have to be tied again anyway. The difficulty comes when you have to attach double lines in hurricane conditions and the cleats aren’t big enough to allow for two full wraps. Best we can do is put the loop ends on opposite sides and then tie one full wrap on each cleat. Thank you for your excellent boater education. We all appreciate it very much.
Superb - explained very well - thank you.
New boat owner here. Super helpful info. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Excellent Video about the 3 types of Cleat Hitches.
Not long ago, i was fishing (rod/reel and line) with someone who had worked on commercial seiner fishing vessels for 20 years and the cleat "knot" he used shocked us all since it came from the school of "can't tie a knot, tie a lot"
At 1:29 when you say "once around the 2nd horn", you might mention why that is important. Which is to have the base of the cleat take the load. I have seen the horn break off because the line was not wrapped around the 2nd horn, but instead crossed over the top before wrapping around the 2nd horn.
Not an expert! All those methods finish with a half hitch which should never, ever be done. Anybody that uses those on my boat gets escorted off the boat immediately.
Awesome explanation, thank you!!!!
Like everyone else said… excellent video! Super simple yet comprehensive. Had to sign in to give a thumbs up and comment.
WOW, that was best explanation ever! Thank you sir!
Great video. Good information without the fluff.
Nice Video!! The half wrap cleat hitch I use also in Germany.
Thank you for sharing your expertise. It really helped clear things up for me. Well done!
Great Instruction; thank you!
Very handy-I'm a kayaker, and always have a 1/4" short line on hand on my foredeck. Occasionally I need to tie up to an 8" cleat at public docks. I've never had my boat drift away on me, but that seems to have been luck more than my knotwork. Wrapping the legs of the cleat like a winch is the key, then lock it down with the figure 8.
Great video! Just what I need for my 14’ boat!
This is Gold!!! Great presentation and very well explained.
Thank you for this useful video
Great instructional video. Thanks
Exceptional instruction!
Excellent video. Thank you.
Thank you this is very informative and helpful
Great training!
Excellent tutorial!
Excellent work. Very helpful
👍Terrific instruction. Thank you. 💝
I’ve never sailed in my life, but this was awesome, thanks!
Excellent video thank you
A handsome explanation. Well done, sir.
I wish every boater would see this! I worked for a small cruise line in San Diego many years ago and a captain took the time to show everyone a proper cleat. I think he was getting frustrated when the 176' schooner was close to leaving on her own!
Your explanation of the cleat to rope size, is awesome. Had never heard that before…Thank you! 🛟
I was taught to do the OXO method, one full rap then full cross then another full rap then lock of with half hitch.
Kyle, that is another excellent video. Good demo, good narration, clear lesson. Well done! Will share. Have subscribed because of your good videos. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching Steadman!
-APS
Excellent, didn't know how to figure out the right size cleat for the right size line, had previously used the SWAG* method. * Sophisticated Wild A$$ Guess. Thanks for the info!
Thank you so much for this video. I made a comment on another video that claimed that the half-wrap cleat hitch was the only one that was "proper", that my lines often slip using that hitch, and that I usually add a wrap or two to be confident. I was criticized by some self-claimed "old salts". You have vindicated me!
There's always someone who knows you're wrong and has to tell you so, even when you're right. Different hitches for different circumstances.
This is the best video ever, I can see from the comments people like to wrap, loop and figure 8 and finish with knots till they run out of rope.. noobs.. I been doing it this way for over 35 years and never had any problems losing a boat nor any worries. I can tie off my boat in a second and your right about the size of the cleat and the rope, I use 3/8 in. double braided nylon rope and it works just fine for the lake and river docks I visit with my 20 foot Capri SS and I do come across different sizes of cleats to tie off and this video explains it very well but nobody listens so maybe you need to do a video for some of the folks on here about using chain link and a shackle to tie up their boat. Great Video 2 Thumbs Up..
Cheers for the clear video mate
Awesome video.
Excellent video!!!!
Thanks very informative !
Excellent information.
nice, very nice demonstration!
I've always used a double wrap no matter the boat, line diameter, or cleat length and never lost one ... ...yet!
Finally, someone showing the correct way to tie a cleat hitch.
Great video! I'm guilty of using the randomly-wind-it-in-a-ball-hitch 🙄
One of the few videos where the full/European cleat hitch is even acknowledged and even explain why/when you should use it as well as the even less discussed multi -pas- wrap
Awesome info!
Great information, thank yoi
great boat saving youtube good job will lift my game on my cleat work thanks
thanks that helped a lot!!!
I have and will continue to follow Chapmans.