How to Tie a Rope With a Tension Crossing

Like the name suggests, tension crossing knots use tension and friction placed on the rope to secure boats to cleats. A tension crossing is among the easier of boating and sailing knots to learn. As simple as the tension crossing knot is, if not done properly the boat is at risk of being "scuppered" --- getting knotted up and tangled at the docks --- which may lead to damage of the boat or dock.

Instructions

    • 1

      Take the end of the mooring line of the boat and wrap one coil around the base of the dock cleat. As a general rule, loop the coil on the far end of the cleat from the boat and bring it around toward the boat on the initial coil.

    • 2

      Bring the end up from the coil and pull it kitty-corner to the opposite ear of the cleat. The rope is now diagonal to the cleat.

    • 3

      Take the end up and over the cleat again, making another diagonal crossing, forming an "X" over the cleat.

    • 4

      Make two to three more crossings over the cleat, making sure the rope makes the criss-cross over the cleats (dual diagonal crossings make the criss-cross pattern on the rope).

    • 5

      Place the end of the remaining rope on the dock and coil it up into a tight and flat coil pushed up against the cleat.