In a message dated 6/30/08 11:36:40 PM, andreic@math.wisc.edu writes:

For some reason  these cleats, instead of having two equal length "horns", have one  long and one short. That makes it hard to do the standard locking knot  I used to do on other boats.

I believe you're describing a teardrop or closed-base cleat. My understanding of their use is they're designed to take the load from only one side, which will be the lower side, with the shorter horn (the horn being shorter just to get the unneeded extra length out of your way), and with the load parallel to the horn (which describes the force on a main halyard cleat). Two figure-8s locked down is plenty to hold a halyard. Then (assuming you're not leading your halyard aft), when you coil the halyard, reach through to grab the standing part, pull that through, give it a twist and drop the loop over the upper, longer horn of the cleat, it will remain secure, holding the coiled line. The main halyard would (should) be the only line on that cleat. ************** Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)