Bow cleat

[vega1860]

I have acquired a 12 inch solid bronze four-bolt cleat that would be
much stronger (and heavier) than the teak-bar-on-pedestals stock cleat.

Since I have never heard of the standard cleat failing, (And it looks
as if it would pull the deck loose before the cleat gave out) I was
wondering if it would be worth doing. Of course the four-bolt
mounting base would be a lot more secure, but I wonder if excessive
strain on the anchor rode wouldn't just make a bigger hole in the deck
if it ever did pull loose.

Opinions?

Aloha kakou,

Chuck Rose
SV Lealea,V1860
Honolulu

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[pelagicasd]

Hi Chuck, Do it. We replaced all of ours with 10 inch bronze hershoff
cleats. We got rid of the one in the middle of the bow and put one on each
side. Use big and thick backing plates. I remember being hard aground in an
unfamiliar harbor on an outgoing tide. The sherrif offered us a tow out but
was concerned about our cleats. It was nice to tell him it wasn't a problem.
By the way the only reason he was able to get us off was I sat on the end of
the boom and Judy swung me out. it heeled us enough to break the keel free
with the tow boats assist. Walt