Skill drills
How to Tie Boating Knots
Most of a boater's knots are about one job: making a line fast so it holds while the boat pulls on it, and lets go when you want it to. These drills put a line and a post or a cleat in front of you and walk you through each knot one decision at a time. Pick wrong and you see the line come free before it can happen at the dock.
- Free
- No signup
- Interactive 3D
- Sourced from the Coast Guard and state boating courses
4 techniques
Pick a technique
Start hereCleat hitchThe knot for tying up at a dock: a turn round the base of the cleat, a figure eight over the horns, and a locking hitch to finish.4 steps
Technique 2Clove hitchTwo turns round a piling or rail with the end tucked under the crossing: the quick way to make a line fast to a post for a short time.5 steps
Technique 3Round turn and two half hitchesTwo turns round a post, piling, rail or ring, then two half hitches round the standing part: a secure tie that can be started while the line is already pulling.4 steps
Technique 4BowlineA fixed loop in the end of a line that will not slip or jam and unties easily, even after a heavy load. Here, dropped over a piling.5 steps
Every time
Rules for every line
- A clove hitch is a temporary tie. For anything longer, lock it with half hitches.[2, 4, 5, 11]
- Size the line to the cleat: about 1/16 inch of line diameter for every inch of cleat, so a 1/2 inch line wants an 8 inch cleat.[1]
- Use both horns of a cleat, and do not bury it in extra turns you will have to undo to cast off.[3, 8]
Watch & learn
Boating knots on video
Picked from our video library. These are other creators' videos, so where one differs from the drill, the drill's sourced steps are the ones to follow.
How to Tie a Cleat Hitch Knot | BoatUS
BoatUS
0Know Your Knots: Clove Hitch | BoatUS
BoatUS
0Master Boating with These 3 Essential Knots!
Live2Boat
04 Essential Boating Knots
BoatBuy
0How to Tie a Clove Hitch Knot | BoatUS
BoatUS
0The ONE KNOT Every Boater MUST KNOW | Learn To Tie It Easy Then Fast
JetBoatPilot
0
FAQ
Boating knot questions
Learn it hands-on
Nothing beats a day on the water with someone who ties these every trip. Browse charter and lesson operators near you and ask them to show you.
Find charters and lessonsSources
Where the checkable claims above come from. Rules and figures change, so confirm anything you are about to rely on against the source itself.
- Boat Crew Handbook: Seamanship Fundamentals (BCH 16114.4)U.S. Coast Guard (hosted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary) (rdept.cgaux.org)
- California Boating Safety First: A Course for Safe BoatingCalifornia State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways (dbw.parks.ca.gov)
- Marlinspike SeamanshipU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil)
- "Knot Safe": Basic Knot Tying and UsageU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil)
- Knots to Know: Clove hitchAmerica's Boating Club (boatingcompass.org)
- Knots to Know: Cleat hitchAmerica's Boating Club (boatingcompass.org)
- 5 Basic Boating Knots for BeginnersDiscover Boating (National Marine Manufacturers Association) (discoverboating.com)
- How to Tie a Cleat Hitch KnotDiscover Boating (National Marine Manufacturers Association) (discoverboating.com)
- Knots to Know: BowlineAmerica's Boating Club (boatingcompass.org)
- Knots to Know: Round turn with two half hitchesAmerica's Boating Club (boatingcompass.org)
- Types of Nautical Knots (Indiana Boater Safety Course)Boat Ed (Kalkomey Enterprises) (boat-ed.com)
