If you want to tighten an already loaded line made fast on a cleat, you can pull the line at right angles and then let it go. This creates a little slack, which you quickly snatch around the cleat. You may do this again to tighten the line a little more. You can also use the technique to tighten halyards on a mast without the use of a winch. When you pull a line at right angles you will obtain a substantial power increase. Sailing ships didn’t have winches – and used this technique to handle lines.

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