cam cleats-260

[Larry]

I'm replacing my cam cleats with spinlocks. Can someone tell me what size and type of screws I need to do this, and do I have to drill new holes? It seems like the old holes are too big to use.Thanks

 

[Tom Wootton]

I'm doing the same thing...

...next weekend. I've already bought the hardware. I'm using the larger powercleats (model PX0812; max line size 7/16") and they take #10 flathead screws. You're right about the existing holes; they're 1/4". I plan to use 24 thread per inch, because I have a 10-24 tap, but 32 would work too. I also bought the wedges, but I may just elevate the entire cleat with a 3/4" starboard block instead.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Cam Cleats

I changed mine about two years ago, and I made adapter plates from some stainless steel plate. I drilled thru holes to go into the existing mounts on the deck, and then I drilled and tapped the new holes on the plate for the spinlocks. I then put a bead of clear silicone around the edges just to seal them. A very easy and neat installation.Dan S/V 'Unruly Julie'

 

[larry]

cams

Tom. I was planning on using #10 1 1/2 SS flat head sheet metal screws. Would this be OK? Since I don't have any taps etc....

 

[Tom Wootton]

Don't know...

...if that's good enough or not. Let me know how it works. The tap was not that expensive, though. A drill and tap for a given thread size is about 4 bucks at Home Depot. A T-handled chuck (which works with different size taps) is about $8. Drilling and tapping is very easy, and probably somewhat stronger than sheet metal screws would be. Whether the strength difference would matter in this case is beyond my pay grade.

 

[Jeff Peltier]

embedded plate

There is an embedded aluminum plate about the shape of the fiberglass area where the existing cluthes and jam cleats are. The sinlocks that are on there currently and most I have seen would require 1/4" SS screws, so you need to find a tapp a proper bit to make threads to recieve the screws.