How do you tie a dock tie?

To tie a dock tie, you'll primarily be using a cleat hitch, which is a method of securing a rope to a cleat.

Steps to Tie a Dock Tie (Cleat Hitch):

Here's a step-by-step guide, referencing the information from the provided YouTube video:

1. Prepare the Rope: Ensure the rope you're using for docking has a loop at the end, this makes tying much easier. The video How To Tie Up to a Dock | Boating 101 indicates that you should have a loop already.

   • The video specifically mentions: "So with this. It already has a loop on the end i'm just going to loop it."

2. Loop Through: Pass the looped end of your rope through the cleat.

• As the video states: "And wrap it around either side of the cleat. And pull it tight."

3. Wrap Around the Cleat: Wrap the loop around one horn of the cleat, then wrap around the other horn. Essentially, you're making a figure-eight around the cleat.

4. Tighten the Line: Pull the rope tight so it is snug against the cleat.

   • As quoted from the video: "So it's nice and snug. And i can pull this back."

5. Final Securing (Optional): To further secure the knot you can do an overhand knot using the working end.

Key Points to Remember:

• Snug Fit: Ensure the dock tie is tight to prevent your boat from drifting.
• Correct Cleat: Use the proper sized cleat for your boat size.
• Check Regularly: Periodically check your lines to make sure the knot is still holding and the boat hasn't moved.
• Practice: Practice these steps often to become proficient with this tie.