Cleat Hitch

How to tie the Cleat Hitch Knot. The Cleat Hitch is the best way to tie a boat to a dock. It is a quick and easy method of tying a rope to a cleat on a dock or boat that is also easy to untie. Learn the Cleat Hitch if you own a boat or even if you don’t. It is amazing how many boat owners do not know this easy and essential boating knot. This knot ties and unties quickly and neatly. You will impress everyone if you tie this knot when handed a rope at the dock!

The Cleat Hitch is one of 23 essential rope knots included on the waterproof Pro-Knot Outdoor Knot Cards - click to see.

Scroll to see Animated Cleat Hitch Knot below the illustration and tying instructions.

 

Cleat Hitch Knot Tying Instructions

• Take a turn around the base of the cleat, and then bring the line over the top of the cleat.


• Wrap the line back under the arm of the cleat opposite the first turn, then back over the top of the cleat.


• Wrap under the first arm a 2nd time and then back over the top of the cleat. You have now made a figure eight pattern over and around the cleat. Now form an under hand loop and slip that loop over the arm of the cleat, which pins the free end under the last wrap.


• Pull the free end tight and you have the neat, tidy and secure Cleat Hitch.