Bow Cleats

[GC]

I found by port side bow cleat to be lose after the winter. When I went to tighten the screws they were all lose and they would not tighten. Has anyone else had the same experience and if so what did you do to correct it?

 

[Shane]

West Systems

West System has a $3.00 manual on how to fix this. I looks very simple and should be a strong permenant fix. Call 989-684-7286 and order book #002-550 fiberglass boat repair and maintenance.

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners]

Cleats

Are you sure they aren't bolts with nuts? Any cleat that's used for keeping the boat snugged up to the dock should NEVER be fastened with just screws. If they are through bolted and the nuts are just loose, you should also rebed them while you're at it with 3M 4200 or LifeCaulk. LaDonna

 

[Marcel Dionne]

Loose port bow cleat

On my Catalina 30, the bow cleats are held in place with flat head bolts. When you try to screw the bolts, the nuts on the other side are just spinning. To be able to reach the nuts from the anchor locker, you have to cut a round hole in the anchor locker just below the port bow cleat and install an inspection port; they're available at any boat store for under $10.00. The whole thing takes a couple of hours of work but it's well worth it if you consider the work involved in redoing your fiberglass after the cleat's been riped out. Good luck.

 

[GC]

Thanks To All Who Provide Inputs

I fix the problem this weekend by installing an access port. Not hard, a bit scary because I could not tell if there was anything behind the anchor locker wall. Catalina “California” sent me to Mr. Warren at there Florida plant Customer Service/Technical Support at 727-544-6681. It has been more then a week and he never did return my calls. Thank you all again for the support and great ideas. And yes there were through bolted backing plates.