Cleats for perforated toe rail

Ken Cross · Oct 31, 2015

Terry Cox said:
Hi Ken, you are most welcome.

Two long-time Everett sailors you may know, Bob Barker (still in Everett) and John Lund (moved to Anacortes). We meet every Wednesday evening at Scuttlebutts' for Skipper's night. Usually start during happy hour with open topics of interest. Come join us if you want. Always a hoot.

Thanks Terry. I just might try to connect.

Ken

wufibugs · Nov 1, 2015

The carriage bolts can only be loosened from inside. Maybe Hunter was concerned that over the years the bolt would corrode and start to turn with the nut. Perhaps the phillips head gives one a fighting chance to have someone hold the bolt in place while turning the nut. Course I suppose one could cut a slot in a stubborn carriage bolt to achieve the same result.

Terry Cox · Nov 1, 2015

Hi Richard, not true on our boat. The entire SS fastener is exposed to outside access. The deck/hull joint lips sandwich together using liberal amounts of sealant, joint covered by the aluminum toe rail, then through bolted with carriage bolts. All of the life-line stanchions secured the same way. All have foot studs that extend through the toe rail and secured with nuts. All of the stanchion support legs have machined bolts that secure to fasteners embedded into the deck (not screws). Every few years boat movement does cause some of the bolts to loosen. That is when I retighten.

David in Sandusky · Nov 1, 2015

Just another satisfied user of the cleat you found. Working strength is 2,000 pounds. A good match for my 3/8s Dock lines with a breaking strength of 4,400 pounds.

jefftober · Jun 10, 2016

Terry Cox said:
The link below explains what I did when it came time to add midship cleats to our boat. That was over ten years ago and remain as strong as the original bow and stern cleats.

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=7556&mn=42

Terry,
Really nice installation! I'm looking to add a midships cleat to my Hunter 35.5, and I'd like to do the same thing. I'll use it as my spring line in my slip, and it will be the only line keeping the boat from hitting the dock, so needs to be strong.

I did have a question - you say "Bolted the new cleats right into place, but did have to enlarge the existing holes a bit." Seems to imply there were holes already there to receive the screws that connect the cleat to the toerail, but that seems unlikely. In your picture, it looks like phillips-head screws through the cleat and into the deck? That can't be right, can it? Can you talk about how you attached the cleat to the toerail?

Thanks!
Jeff

alexco38 · Jun 10, 2016

Use it for 10 years. Drilled a 3/8 hole on the toe rail between 2 slots, so it can't move. Put a slim piece of rubber to shim it flat as the toe rail has a ridge on the lib. Also no direct SS to aluminium contact. Very sturdy.

Terry Cox · Jun 10, 2016

jefftober said:
Terry,
Really nice installation! I'm looking to add a midships cleat to my Hunter 35.5, and I'd like to do the same thing. I'll use it as my spring line in my slip, and it will be the only line keeping the boat from hitting the dock, so needs to be strong.

I did have a question - you say "Bolted the new cleats right into place, but did have to enlarge the existing holes a bit." Seems to imply there were holes already there to receive the screws that connect the cleat to the toerail, but that seems unlikely. In your picture, it looks like phillips-head screws through the cleat and into the deck? That can't be right, can it? Can you talk about how you attached the cleat to the toerail?

Thanks!
Jeff

Hi Jeff, so here are some of the specifics:

1. Removed one of the toe rail bolts and used the existing hole (enlarged it because the flat head cleat bolts are slightly larger than the toe rail carriage bolts) for one of the cleat bolts. The toe rail bolts do not enter the deck, but pass through the deck/hull joint.

2. Drilled a new hole through the deck/hull joint for the second cleat flat head bolt. Both bolts pass through the deck/hull joint and are secured with a washer and nut beneath the joint.

Hope this helps.

Ilanortho · Jun 10, 2016

I ordered the folding cleats and installed them on my toe rails on Hunter. 34. As others note it has one bolt for installation and rocks fore-aft even when torqued down. Just seemed wrong although would do the job. I broke down and ordered YS cleats from England. Cost $300 for both and $50 shipping. Are absolute jewels of metal, bolted on toe rail with two heavy duty bolts each. My wallet aches but I smile every time I see them. Arrived quickly.

Ilanortho · Jun 11, 2016

I believe so but I paid a lot more so check the spacing/ measurements on this site to make sure they are not smaller versions. The ones I got fit the holes on my toe rail perfectly. They are very heavy and sturdy and at first I thought they were SS, but they are anodized marine aluminum. Pardon the french but they are beautiful and built like brick sh..house.I believe the toe rails are aluminum too so corrosion shouldn't be a problem. Let me know what you think. Ilan

woodster · Jun 11, 2016

i got the cs johnson ones from SBO store and have been very happy with them and i assure they are good as i am in mobile bay and the wend does lots of crazy things here to the point they call my marina the washing machine..at that is true ...i see no sign of shortcomings on these.....