Adding Bow Cleats

[Bill Bowman]

It appears that we will be able to keep our H23 in the water this year, as well as do a little touring.Our H23 does not have bow cleats. Two part question:Do we need to add them? If so, how? What kind of backing plate would be best/easiest?? Best placement??If we don't really need to add them, where does everyone else tie bow and sprind lines in a slip?Bill Bowman,H23 - Muskegon, MI

 

[Lee]

Cleats

I added two. Just backed the screws with washers. I haven't had any problems. I definitely needed them. I cross the front lines and tie them to the dock cleats. I run a spring line from from the anchor well back to the dock post.

 

[Bill Bowman]

Thanks Lee - Anyone Else??

Lee, just wanted some input on the cleat supports. I know there really isn't a lot of tension on these lines and where we are going to be is pretty protected. No hurricans in Muskegon. It's one of those right way, wrong way and the "best" way. Going to be down at Torresons on Saturday for their Spring Thaw Open House. Maybe I'll take a quick look at Merilee.Bill BowmanH23 - Muskegon, MI

 

[Steve Dion]

A little more meat.

Bill:Not to disagree with Lee, but I think that a little more beef would be in order. I do not know about the area that you have to work for, but I would think a piece of plywood (soak it in epoxy)under the deck and then some washers would be in order. If this is large enough to cover both cleats that would be great.The other option may be to get a piece of alum. plate .25" or so to over this area. This could be used in conjunction with the plywood too.When you are drilling holes be sure that they are sealed if there is any core in this area. If there is core, you will want to over drill the holes and fill with epoxy. Then redrill them to the correct size. You will probably use this for an anchor too so more is always better.

 

[Bill Bowman]

Anchor Well

The H23's have an anchor well with a split (one pair) hatch on the bow. It is about 14 inches deep and big enough for a standard danforth. It has a reenforced cleat and such just for the anchor. Since is is well below the deck level, can't really use it for dock lines. I thought about reenforcing and just wondered about how other people have approached it. Some what big job to do it right. Have to pull down the head liner in a rather narrow part in the v-berth. One plate may work, depending on where we decide to mount the cleats. Another problem here is the anchor well. the cleats will have to be about 24 inches aft of the point of the bow, then one on either side.Thanks for the tip about core and epoxy. Last thing we want to do is rip the deck out and/or have her leak in the rain.Bill Bowman

 

[John]

One more for anchor

I have added one cleat that is used exclusively for the anchor - I installed one of those kits to store the anchor. The single cleat is strong enough to hold 2 bow lines and a spring line.