adding bow cleats.

[DeniseO30]

Nearly forgot about this project! My boat has a big cleat right behind the furler on the bow. I want to add 8" cleats on either side of the anchor locker. It will make mooring tie ups allot easier since I always use 2 pennants.
Before I start drilling... anyone done this on their boat? Pretty sure it would be the same on 27' up to 37' bows.

 

[ccarmody]

I haven't tried it but it's on my shortlist of todos as well. Have you started/completed the project? It looks rather simple to put in the chainplates, but tight spaces adjacent to the anchor locker on our 37CC.

 

[Mike4116]

It's a project I too am contemplating on my OD28. The question is: Mount on the toe rails or on the deck adjacent to the toe rail. Either way a stout backing plate would be needed for the stresses on the mooring/anchor/dock lines. I doubt if oversize washers would be sturdy enough.

 

[31seahorse]

RE adding bow cleats: I added backer plates to the cleats of an Irwin 31 and encountered some of the problems you are discussing. (1) Definately use backer plates as large as is practical because of the stress on those mooring cleats. (2) I could not reach the throughbolts from inside the bow (v berth or rope locker) due to the size of the anchor locker. I solved that problem by cutting circular openings in the sides of the anchor locker adjacent to the location of the cleats. That way I could reach in and install the backer plates and hold the nuts for tightening. I closed those holes with round plastic deck plates of the proper size (6 in, I think). Since those inspection plates were able to be unscrewed that would allow for future maintenance.