Cleat Hitch

Secure a line to a horn cleat with crossing turns and a locking hitch.

This version has a locking finish. An unlocked dock-line method is a separate variant.

Step-by-step

Start above the cleat
The standing part comes down beside the cleat.
Lead to the far horn
Bring the end down to the lower horn first.
Pass around both horns
Go around the lower horn, then the upper horn in the same direction.
Cross down the front
Bring the end diagonally down-right across the cleat.
Go under the lower horn
Curve around the lower horn to start the next crossing.
Cross upward
Bring the end up-right over the first diagonal.
Leave an open loop
Extend a loop beside the upper horn, with the tail hanging down.
Twist the locking loop
Turn the open loop into a half hitch beside the cleat.
Place it over the horn
Lift the loop over the top of the upper horn.
Lower the half hitch
Draw the loop down around the horn. The tail passes beneath the diagonal.
Check the cleat hitch
The crossed turns finish with a locking half hitch. This lesson shows the locking variant.