A folding boat cleat which is secured to a boat hull includes a base secured to the boat hull, the base including a gap and a cleat head rotatably secured at one end to the base. A spring is secured between the cleat head and the base and operates to bias the cleat head toward an upward or operative position. A slider is secured within the base and includes a latch portion which engages the cleat head when the cleat head is in a folded position within the gap and a thumb portion which allows a user to retract the latch portion and release the cleat head to rotate approximately 90.degree. into an upward or operative position. Preferably, the slider is spring loaded. A torsion coil spring is also preferably used to bias the cleat head towards an upward or operative position. The cleat head preferably includes a plurality of legs.