Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

bobdec · Sep 20, 2010

I have a 1996 SeaPro 201 Walk around Cutty Cabin. When docking it only has three cleats two aft and one centered on the bow. Half the time I end up using the bow rail for short term tie-ups. I would like to add 2 more cleats, port and starboard midships, to ease docking. But because of the walk around hull design I can not gain access the inside of the outer hull to attach large washers or an inner plate or even to install the cleat mounting nuts. Has anyone seen a kit that will allow cleat installation from the outside only. Thought about butterfly nuts like the type used on interior drywall, but they are not stainless, would require larger holes and I'm not sure hey would bear the stress. Any Ideas out there ??

Home Cookin' · Sep 20, 2010

Re: Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

Lesser option: screw them into the fiberglass and don't use them for any heavy pulling, or pulling straight up. To avoid the temptation to use them for more than just helper lines, use small cleats.
Consider using a tap and die to thread the fiberglass. And protect against cracks and chips when you drill.
The better option, to do it right, is to cut an access hole in the bulkhead, using backing plates, and close the hole with a round access hatch. It won't look bad after you're finished. Then you can use the cleats as designed.
I have access holes cut into my Sea Hunt's bulkhead, covered with hatches; don't even notice them.

NYBo · Sep 20, 2010

Re: Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

Install them properly, the way Home Cookin' suggested, or you WILL eventually pull them out. One good wake while you're tied off to one them and that's all she wrote.

What is preventing access, solid fiberglass or an upholstered panel in the cuddy?

metriccrescentwrench · Sep 21, 2010

Re: Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

How about a stainless rivet-nut?

mcmaster.com - part number 98005A160

Granted, it's not as good as using washers or a backing plate, but it would be better than just screwing into fiberglass.

bobdec · Sep 21, 2010

Re: Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

What is preventing access, solid fiberglass or an upholstered panel in the cuddy? Boat is at the marina so I can't get a picture right now. Will do that ASAP. I want to mount the cleat on the top of the gunwale. Since it's a walk around cutty cabin the actual side wall of the cabin is separated from the gunwale buy the walkway about 10 inches wide and 10 inches deep. I will look into an access hole on the cabin and see if there is enough room to snake my arm around under the walkway to the upper gunwale. The rivet nuts look good if access is not possible.. Thanks for the responses.. Bob..

Home Cookin' · Sep 21, 2010

Re: Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

I took a second look at mine this morning. The bulkheads (insides) of my center console are probably the same as yours at your walkway. They cut 3" access holes, then covered them with 3" flush plates--you only need enough room to slip the backing plate in, put on the washers and nuts, and tighten.
be assured that you will drop something down into never never land in the process! Try vaseline to make things temporarily sticky, if magnets work take the nuts back!

rwidman · Sep 21, 2010

Re: Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

Do Not use any sort of rivet gun or toggle bolts to install cleats. An improperly installed cleat is as dangerous as an inproperly installed railing; an invitation to an accident. Don't think you're going to just put light loads on a cleat. A cleat will look like a cleat to anyone else who may use it as a cleat and cause it to pull out.

I installed midship cleats on my previous boat, a sport cruiser. On one side, I partially removed a panel in the head to gain access, on the other side, I removed the electrical panel and the top panel in a hanging locker.

You should be able to do it properly with bolts, nuts, and fender washers or backing plates. If you can't, forget it, don't cause a dangerous situation with poorly installed cleats.

a70eliminator · Sep 21, 2010

Re: Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

The bow and stern cleats on my 67 MFG fiberglass boat are nothing but screw mounted, there are 4 phillips screws per and they've been there for over 40yrs! I took them off for a topside buffing years ago and put them right back the same way and no problems ever, it's just a little 16 foot pleasure boat though.

JimS123 · Sep 21, 2010

Re: Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

After the lawsuit put Chris Craft into bankrupcy, thru bolting cleats has become a standard practice.

sasto · Sep 22, 2010

Re: Installing Cleats w/o access to inside of hull

If you have ever seen a cleat snatched from it's mount and come flying toward a person lashing her to a piling....I would recommend staying far away from that boat.

It may work fine for eliminator.. but not for all. If a person had to "screw and glue" deck hardware, I would recommend taping off the area, trace out the hardware, cut the tape away from the mount area, and grind or sand the gelcoat off. Better adhesion to fiberglass than gelcoat.

rwidman · Sep 22, 2010