We have a Cat 28. I was advised to install a cleat in the floor of the anchor locker cabinet. Is the cabinet wall material strong enough to hold a cleat under tension? Thanks
Installing a cleat in the anchor locker
- Thread starter Surfside
- Start date
I assume the boat has bow cleats suitable for anchoring.
The anchor point in the locker is typically for the bitter end of the rode and is usually a u-bolt, not a cleat. Ropes snag on cleats.
If just a cabinet back ... perhaps not. A backing plate, of course, but look at it (post pics?) and decide. In theory, this anchor point never takes the full load of the rode. It is only to prevent the rode from running out if you have a brain fart. There should be an OBVIOUS warning mark on the rode at least 20 feet from the end. At least a meter or RED. You should never see this mark. But it can take quite a wallop if the boat drifts back on the rode, easily 200-400 pounds.
The anchor point in the locker is typically for the bitter end of the rode and is usually a u-bolt, not a cleat. Ropes snag on cleats.
If just a cabinet back ... perhaps not. A backing plate, of course, but look at it (post pics?) and decide. In theory, this anchor point never takes the full load of the rode. It is only to prevent the rode from running out if you have a brain fart. There should be an OBVIOUS warning mark on the rode at least 20 feet from the end. At least a meter or RED. You should never see this mark. But it can take quite a wallop if the boat drifts back on the rode, easily 200-400 pounds.
If you have a bow eye on the stem outside the hull there maybe an opportunity to create a stop for the rode.
The bow eye on the stem could/should have a backing plate inside the hull and probably accessible from the anchor locker. You could back the nuts off, put a pad eye or other hardware with the corresponding hole pattern over the backing plate and replace the nuts. The boy eye would be the backing plate for the pad eye. It should be way strong enough to serve as an endpoint for the rode. With luck you might not have to drill or caulk. It will take some shopping and looking at dimensions.
The bow eye on the stem could/should have a backing plate inside the hull and probably accessible from the anchor locker. You could back the nuts off, put a pad eye or other hardware with the corresponding hole pattern over the backing plate and replace the nuts. The boy eye would be the backing plate for the pad eye. It should be way strong enough to serve as an endpoint for the rode. With luck you might not have to drill or caulk. It will take some shopping and looking at dimensions.
You'll have to inspect the structure and probably drill a hole to confirm the thickness.... Definitely use a backing plate.
Thank you for the comment. The anchor locker floor material seems very thin to me. With the backing plate, it is probably fine just to ensure we don't lose the rod. I wouldn't want to place any tension on the fitting. It is accessible from the front berth.
I think I will install a fitting with a backing plate, but only to secure the anchor line and not as an anchor point. We have cleats on the bow.
Thank you for the comments.
No warning mark on the rode. I will follow your advice. The material is maybe 1/8, so this is only to secure the end of the rode. Thank you
Use your bow cleats. They're already there, dont require any reinforcement and are easier to tie off to than one inside the locker. I have both on my C30. The one in the anchor locker is awkward to use. It is useful to ensure that I don't lose an anchor when letting line out
