Cleats are used to quickly secure a boat to a dock.
Securing a boat to a dock is a critical skill regardless of the size of the boat. There are many knots to choose from, and the proper knot will depend on the securing device available on the dock. Cleats and posts are the most common rope securing devices you will find on a dock, from cottage docks on lakes and rivers to ferry docks. Even if you are only docking for a short time, a strong, quick gust of wind is all it takes to pry your boat away from the dock and into open water.
Instructions
1. Secure the dock lines to the cleats of your boat. One end of the rope should have a loop at the end; slide the loop through the center of the cleat, then hook the loop over the ends of the cleat. The rope, when pulled, will not slip through the center of the cleat.
2. Pull your boat up to the dock, making sure the side of the boat that the dock lines are attached is next to the dock.
3. Put out the boat fenders. These will ensure that the rub rail of your boat does not come in contact with the dock. Make sure they are not low enough to float on the water.
4. Tighten the rear line so there is about a foot of space between the boat and the dock.
5. Tie a cleat hitch with the dock line. Wrap the rope around the base of the cleat, up and over the cleat arm, across and under the other cleat arm, and up and over the first cleat arm. then make a loop such that the rope comes back under itself and slide this loop over the second cleat arm, and repeat the loop on the other cleat arm. Give the rope a solid tug to make sure it is secure, and repeat the knot on the front dock line.
Tips Warnings
If the dock has pillars rather than cleats, tie a clove hitch.
Tags: boat, dock, boat dock, your boat, center cleat, cleat over, cleat then, dock line, dock lines, loop over, other cleat, through center, through center cleat
