Hitches
Cleat Hitch
DIFFICULTY ●●○○○
The proper way to tie a line to a dock cleat: a full turn around the base, figure-eight wraps over the horns, finished with a single locking hitch laid flat.
See it tied step-by-step ↗Why it earns its place
Holds a surging boat all day yet casts off in seconds, even under load. Done right, it's also the tidiest-looking knot on the whole dock.
Where it fails
The classic mistake is piling on extra locking hitches — they jam and add nothing. One base turn, two or three figure-eights, one flat lock. Done.
Quick facts
| Type | Belaying hitch |
| Under load | Very secure |
| Untying | Fast, even loaded |
| Best for | Dock lines, halyards |