Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

the length of your anchor line should be 3-6 times the depth of the water you are anchored in..... 6 holds considerably better than 3 but is not usually needed for recreational boaters in calm conditions

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

when you ask the anchor question here, you will get two types of answers: those describing heavy rigs made for anchoring unattended overnight in a gale, with chain and scope ratios and all, and those for general recreational use known as a "lunch hook" just to hold your boat still while you hang out.

But except for those on small land-locked lakes or lakes too deep to anchor effectively, and especually for coastal boaters, a properly sized and rigged anchor, chain and line is the most important safety equipment you have--more than PFDs and flares and radios--so it needs to be right even if you never use it.

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

when you ask the anchor question here, you will get two types of answers: those describing heavy rigs made for anchoring unattended overnight in a gale, with chain and scope ratios and all, and those for general recreational use known as a "lunch hook" just to hold your boat still while you hang out.

But except for those on small land-locked lakes or lakes too deep to anchor effectively, and especually for coastal boaters, a properly sized and rigged anchor, chain and line is the most important safety equipment you have--more than PFDs and flares and radios--so it needs to be right even if you never use it.

And I assume that is in case your boat is disabled and you need to anchor?

 

[gtochris]

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

A couple options come to mind.... One is to double the line.... Pull a loop through the eye and cleat that loop to one of the existing cleats.
Another is to have a short bow line attached to the eye at all times (short enough that it cant reach your prop if it falls in the water)and attach your anchor line to the end of it with a shackle at whatever length you want it.

This. I have a center bow cleat and on windy days- I'll use the bow eye. The anchor line will chafe on the bow light as the boat swings and the eye is more direct to the water. Double it up, pull a foot or two through and tie two hitches (like fastening to a dock ring)

 

[gtochris]

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

Here's my suggestion: just screw the cleat(s) into the fiberglass without backing, with stainbless wood screws made for this purpose (securing cleats). Sure, backing is better, but you aren't going to lift the bow by the cleat; all force will be perpendicular to the screws.

Problem is, once you install a cleat like this, anyone will think it can handle a heavy load. All cleats need SOMETHING behind them to hold. Even the cheep boats use a chunk of plywood (I've seen in the past) as simply into the fiberglass won't last long before it gets pulled out.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

And I assume that is in case your boat is disabled and you need to anchor?

when you're in trouble the first thing you want to do (with a few exceptions) is stay put. Then you assess the problems to find the best solution--which may be remaining where you are. an anchored boat rides bow into the wind/current which is usually the safest. It doesn't drift into shippoing channels, mud flats, rocks, away from helpful traffic/population, out of sheltered water or out to sea. Even if it swamps it stays where people may find it. If you call for help, your location remains valid.

And your properly sized line is your tow line.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

Problem is, once you install a cleat like this, anyone will think it can handle a heavy load. All cleats need SOMETHING behind them to hold. Even the cheep boats use a chunk of plywood (I've seen in the past) as simply into the fiberglass won't last long before it gets pulled out.

yes backing is better, but it just isn't likely to happen, that some random person is going to appear on your boat and apply massive straight-up force to cleat before you can stop them. There is nothing wrong with installing a utility cleat with screws as long as you know its limitations.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

HC, Any job worth doing is worth doing right and right is a backing plate

 

[90stingray]

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

On my glastron, I added speakers up front at the same time I added a retractable bow cleat. Gives 2 nice sized holes to get in there and back up the attaching hardware.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

Do you find the 20' line is enough? I assume you only anchor in shallow water? DO you have an anchor chain with the anchor?

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes but we're just anchoring at sand bars and such to hang out. probably 5-8 FOW. Yes chain with shackle.

I also have a 2nd anchor in the boat to go off the stern and a 100' line with a shackle ready to go encase I ever needed to or wanted to anchor in deep water.

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

On my glastron, I added speakers up front at the same time I added a retractable bow cleat. Gives 2 nice sized holes to get in there and back up the attaching hardware.

And there was no blown in foam in the bow?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

I ahve had to dig through foam (to replace a bow eye and its backing plate) and it's doable but not as easy as it may seem. A PITA.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Install Cleat - No Access Underneath.

HC, Any job worth doing is worth doing right and right is a backing plate

+++1. No way would I just screw a cleat into fiberglass. If that cleat lets go at just the wrong moment, someone could be severely injured.

Was on a sailboat once where someone had a line through a guide pulley and the pulley failed. Nearly took her finger off with the pulley. Imagine tieing off a line to a cleat or trying to untie with it under load and it decides to fail with your finger in a loop of the line. Good bye finger.