re: Learning (and retaining) how to tie proper knots

Bowline is the most useful knot that I use other than cleat knots. Hitches probably next. And square knots.

And yeah, there's an app for that.

Speaking of cleat knots... Am I the only one that notices how many people don't understand how to do that? When I'm putting my boat up I don't even bother worrying about it anymore because I've just gotten used to having to go behind everyone other than just a handful of people and retie the cleats. It's like locking it down correctly is either something people don't know about or just can't figure out how to do right or something.