Abstract: An easy-releasing cleat for sailboat deck equipment includes a sheave against which the rope can be pressed by a toothed roller rotatably mounted on an axle. The a toothed roller is provided with a controlable lock which can be set either in an unlocked position to let the a toothed roller freely rotate on its axle and the rope freely run between the roller and the sheave, or in locked position to prevent the roller from rotating on its axle and to hold firmly the rope against the sheave as a conventional cam would do.