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How To Tie Onto A Cleat

September 20, 2021 4 Comments

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One of the first things you’ll learn when becoming a sailor is how to tie onto a cleat. Like most things in sailing there are options.

There are two main recognized knots used for fastening a line to a cleat. The first is the cleat hitch and the second is called the OXO method. American’s tend to use the cleat hitch as that is what’s taught through ASA. The RYA teaches OXO. They both work well and it’s up to you to determine which one you want to use.

For me, I find the OXO method easy to remember.

The cleat hitch isn’t as intuitive and it’s easy to get it wrong. What I do is the OXO knot and then I will add a locking hitch in at the end for good measure. It drives Simon nuts because the lock can sometimes prove difficult to get off when the line is under extreme pressure.

For me, I like to sleep at night knowing that my knot is super secure.

How To Tie Onto A Cleat – Cleat Hitch Knot vs OXO Method Video

Ironically, the evening after we recorded this video we decided to tie lines from us to two other boats around us. We were all on mooring balls and there was no wind. The other factor was that we were on a lockdown – we couldn’t leave the boat. The most we could do is swim 15′ around our own boat.

Thinking creatively we decided to pull our sterns together so that we could all sit on the back of our boats and have sundowners without breaking rules. I fastened one of the lines to an aft cleat and things were fine. I did my typical OXO and locked it off with a hitch.

Simon, being Simon, got annoyed at me and had to redo the knot. I’m not sure what kind of knot he did, and to be fair it was a super slippery floating line, but it came undone!

Moral of the story – do an OXO with a locking hitch. Hehehehehe.

Your thoughts about how to tie onto a cleat?

Please leave them below.

Other How To Videos & Articles

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How To Tie Onto A Cleat

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Tags: cleat hitch, knots, OXO Knot Categories: How To's, Videos

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jack Martin says

    September 21, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    Hi there guys, Some weeks ago I asked a question some where on your web page but I do not know where to go to read the answer or even you you received it. My question was “Does having a bow thruster fitted to your boat effect the speed by means of drag and is it noticeable.”
    Thanks
    Jack Martin
    PS I brought your ” Checklist for Sailors ” the other week and although the cost was US$27.00 it always no matter what the cost, hurts when converted to NZ$ but the book was great value. Thankyou for that.
    Well recommended.

    Reply
    • Kim Brown says

      September 22, 2021 at 3:12 pm

      Hey Jack – I remember responding to you but it was a slightly different question. Our bowthruster is in line and inside the hull so it does not create drag. I’m not sure if there are external thrusters?! Your best bet would be to ask the company that makes the thrusters if there is an impact to speed. Thank you for your feedback on Checklists for Sailors! Smiles, Kim

      Reply
  2. Vernon Coon says

    September 22, 2021 at 1:39 am

    When was an Engineer on a tug tug I was told NEVER ! lock a cleat hitch, after a locked cleat hitch has cinched the only way to release it is to cut the line. People have been seriously injured and even killed by cutting a line under pressure.

    Vernon . Mid Coastal N.C. Belhaven.

    Reply
    • Kim Brown says

      September 22, 2021 at 3:09 pm

      Thanks for your comments Vernon! K.

      Reply

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