Backing Plate for Cleats?

[Bruce]

I want to install two additional cleats on the bow of my 23.5, to ease the "traffic" on my one factory installed cleat. I opened up the bow section and saw that I have space on either side of the anchor locker to install a backing plate about 1"x6". I was thinking about getting a 1/4" steel plate to use.  Any suggestions/coments? Thanks for the assistance. Bruce H23.5 "Off Call"

 

[Pete]

backing plate

You are on the right track only suggestion I have is that is backing plate be Stainless steel or aluminum not steel (rust)

 

[Rick Webb]

Let us know how it turns out

I have looked at the same thing and thought of using a couple peices of preasure treated 1X6s with fender washers on the other side. I am also planing on doing that for the U bolt in the anchor well as I do not like the way it flexes when the mast is going up.

 

[richard]

get good stainless

get good stainless!!you want 304 stainless steel. nothing less. use good stainless hardware to bolt thru and the same for the cleat. spend the $ because the alum. will turn your lines black. also, there will be a galvanic response [rust] if you mix metals. I have used varius types of sealants but any time you go through glass or coreing with new hardware i use 3m's 5200. just don't put it on when it is too hot or in direct southern sun in summer. hope that helps...rich

 

[Dave Condon]

backing plate

Definetly use a backing plate of sorts or you could rip out the cleat. Pete's advice on metals is right on. thank youpete.Crazy Dave

 

[Bruce]

Options?

Thanks for the advice so far. I looked at stainless steel (Boat U.S.) and the stainless cleats require 4 fasteners (set in a rectangle shape), I don't think I will have room to mount a backing plate wide enough to support that. I saw some cleats that were galvanized steel and some that were aluminum - both of these will require only 2 fasteners - this is very "doable". Outside of the potential to color a line black (see previous response), will I have any problems using either the galvanized steel or the aluminum? FYI - the boating store in my area doesn't carry backing plates, I will be getting them made at a machine shop (about $5 each for 1x6x1/4").  Thanks for the suggestions. Bruce S/V "Off Call"

 

[Steve Dion]

Bruce

Bruce:Bigger is better with these backing plates. 1" wide seems a little small. The idea here is to distribute the load over the largest possible (practical) area. If you can swing it I'd have these plates 2-3" wide. Obviously if there is not room then this is the best you can do.