LINES UNDER LOAD

The sailor like the cowboy can control quite high loads by TAKING A TURN AROUND SOMETHING The sailor's equivalent to a saddle horn is called A CLEAT. They come in many shapes and sizes but all do the same job.

1. To control the line take a turn around the back of the cleat and pull.

2. To secure the line, start wrapping 'figure of eight' turns around the cleat.

3. Several turns produce enough friction to hold the line.

4. A 'twisted' locking turn can be added for extra security but should not be which might have to be released quickly.

Go around the back of the cleat and add 'figure of eight' turns to increase friction.	Take several turns for friction and finish off like this.

Various patent cleats use a 'wedging' action to hold the line. They grip with either a 'vee' notch or clamping jaws and are released by pulling, lifting or springing a catch.

COILS

A regular rhythm of say an arm's width creates an even coil.	Laid rope needs to be coiled clockwise and given a right hand twist in each turn. Then stowed like this.

A halyard can be stowed on a mast cleat like this. Although some plaited lines tend to form 'figure'of eight' coils rather than neat circles.