C27 Tall, adding a mooring/anchor cleat

[Steve]

I'll be mooring my 1986 C27 Tall Rig for the summer. Both bow cleats are backed up only by washers and have little or no room below to add a decent backing plate. I've decided to an additional cleat for mooring and anchoring. Any comments/advice would be appreciated. I plan on adding an 8" cleat just aft (about 4") of the molded Anchor locker and slightly off center to the right (that lines it up with the pulpit roller). There is no way to access the area from down below forward of the anchor locker. I'll overdrill the four mounting holes, soak them with epoxy, drain, then fill them with thickened epoxy (west system). After curing, I'll redrill proper size holes, adding a backing block down below (thinking of a piece of Maple or Oak, any suggestions?) that has been sealed with epoxy. After securing the cleat, I'll paint the backing block to match the interior. The backing block and hardware will be above the shelf, out of the way. Thanks for any ideas, Steve s/v Barefoot

 

[Don]

Frankly, I think it's overkill, but if it gives ..

you piece of mind, then fly into it. I did have a problem with the port cleat getting loose. I ended up installing a deck plate in the anchor well to access it. I could never find the right combination of tools to reach the nuts. Here in FL, we anchor out for hurricanes. I set my 2 largest anchors at 45 degrees angles. I run the tails back to the cockpit and use the winch cleats as a backup. Been thru some rough weather and never a problem with the bow cleats. Don, 86 TR, #6293