Page 81 - Colin Jarman "The Essential Knot Book"

28 HALYARD COIL

Halyard falls should always be coiled up and tidied off the deck as quickly as
possible; otherwise they become tangled up possibly causing serious trouble.
The easiest and simplest way is to make a neat coil beginning at the cleat and
working towards the free end. Always coil with the lay of the rope if it is a laid

rope, or in figures of eight if it’s plaited as shown here. Once the line is coiled,
hold it in the left hand, reach through the coils with your right hand and grasp
the line near the cleat. Pull a bight back through the coils, twist it and slip it over
the upper horn of the cleat, either directly or by passing it behind the standing
part of the halyard for additional security.