Securing a barge with a cleat hitch - GIF

Securing a barge with a cleat hitch.

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Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...172#post141611
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...573#post139468
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...641#post118140
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...068#post210781
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...675#post220024

Is it possible that the design of cleats evolved from the fact that that shape makes possible exactly what he's doing?

I can remember my first time assisting in the docking of my uncle-in-law's sailboat. I looked at the cleat and did what he's doing, whipping the line and catching it alternately on the horns of the cleat. It seemed so obvious to me that I was sure it had been designed to be used that way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mklotz

Is it possible that the design of cleats evolved from the fact that that shape makes possible exactly what he's doing?

I can remember my first time assisting in the docking of my uncle-in-law's sailboat. I looked at the cleat and did what he's doing, whipping the line and catching it alternately on the horns of the cleat. It seemed so obvious to me that I was sure it had been designed to be used that way.

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Bingo!

Mark

That is indeed the correct way to use a cleat. If he was really good he would have tossed that last loop to form a cleat hitch. But we do not know how long that tie off will be necessary. We can assume he knew what he was doing so the final securing loop was not necessary

Attachment 45461


It is amazing to me how many people with big, high dollar, boats and yachts have no clue how to properly secure a line to a cleat. The way many do it makes it near impossible to untie while the line is under load.

Some designs, especially those that allow a loop of the line to be passed under the cross bar. People tend to slide a loop under the bar, the pass that loop over the cross bar. This does indeed secure the line, but is also impossible to release under pressure.

Attachment 45462

He's done that before, ain't he?
I never knew why the cleats were that shape. Now I do.

Notice the tips are smaller. Allows for more space for the line to slide between the deck and tip. Also, when using the cleat hitch, loosening the know becomes easier.

I learned securing a 50 ft racing sailboat. One complete figure 8 like the video shows, and then a cleat hitch. If the hitch does not lay flat, you twisted the wrong way. This method uses the friction to hold the tension while using the hitch to ensure it is secure and won't drift loose. Even just 1 hitch is enough to secure the boat. A second hitch is just to make others happy. If the second hitch was a requirement, your line and cleat are too small.

The last 2 loops in the video are just to use the weight of the line to hold the rest in place. As mentioned above, a hitch would not have required the last 2 loops but for temporary holding, this is fine.

Yes, I have seen even big sailboat not tied properly.