We've got the rail-mounted cleats sitting just a few notches shy of all they way forward on the tracks - and rarely have need to move them. They're reasonably low profile so don't present too much of a tripping hazard. The aft springs that we use them for are the first lines on and last off at the dock. Apart from having a "perforated" toe-rail (a-la many Hunters I've seen...) it's the next best option for having an adjustable attachment point for a myriad of uses.