Catalina 18 docking lines and cleats

[utyak]

Just bought a 2004 Catalina 18. The cleats on the boat are too small to fit the splice of the eye of 3/8" dockline through, and there is only room for one line per cleat, so can't put a second line on for a spring line. There is only the bow cleat and one stern cleat per side. The cleats that are currently installed are Forespar 6 1/2". They are nylon, and have a closed base. All the resources I've checked indicate 3/8" is the correct size dock line, so going with a smaller line is not something I want to do. We hope to have the boat in a slip next summer. What do folks do to secure these boats to the dock for long term?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Not put the dock lines through the cleat. That's so "powerboaty." If you're afraid of the lines coming off the cleats, tie a small line around them and over the cleats.

3/8 inch line sounds like overkill for your boat. You could do well to reduce the size of the lines to match the cleats. Our C25 used 3/8 inch lines and it was way heavier than your boat.

Good luck with your new boat.

 

[OldCat]

OK, I am going to risk board rath and disagree with one of our resident experts (Stu). LOCAL conditions matter a LOT. Find out what folks do in your marina and on your lake, inland lake conditions can be different than the ocean.

I sail on a mountain foothill lake (Carter Lake, CO) - it is close to home like the flatland lakes, and pretty like the mountain lakes. The price is a marina that is exposed from the south to gale force winds over several miles of fetch, and to W-NW winds that are like CA Santa Ana winds. The highest gust at our marina this year was 111 mph NW, over 60 from the S. Waves can be so high that the docks can no longer be walked. The marina guys do walk the docks to add or retie lines whenever they can - like when I snapped a brand new 3 strand 1/2" line on my C22 - but sometimes it gets too bad to be safe for them to do so.

So, in an exposed marina, I have line overkill - AND I NEED OVERKILL.

EVERYTHING is doubled. The major lines have snubbers - and are stronger line than the one that I snapped. 3/8 is "right" for my boat, but I have 1/2" lines. My cleats have two lines each, my winches have lines. And yes, like many other boats here, sail and power, lines are through the cleats.

Lake water levels often vary a lot, so marinas cannot be protected by seawalls. If you have a well protected marina, and are not exposed to major storms, then you do not need as heavy duty a setup as I have. IMHO, as a lake sailor, it is best is to find out how the more careful guys tie up in your area.

Apologies if my post is a little hot, maybe guys who have to try and survive hurricanes in their marinas will understand my perspective on this.

OC

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nope, good advice.

Solution? Install bigger cleats or more cleats.

 

[CaptDon01]

Ditto on changing out the cleats. Our Capri-18 had nylon 2-bolt open base cleats, and we used 3/8" lines. For spring lines,(when needed), I either tied off at a stantion base, or used a jib sheet winch,(mine were in the cockpit as your model also has). If you change out the cleats, take a look at WEST Epoxies web site for the proper method of installing hardware. The Capri has plywood between the fiberglass.

By the way, you picked a GREAT boat! Look at my album from our Capri-18. We had a BLAST with her......just wanted some additional cabin space.

Don

 

[OldCat]

Nope, good advice.

Solution? Install bigger cleats or more cleats.

Thanks, Stu.

utyak, Remember to consider your winches as cleats, good for a spring line. Maybe good for a second stern line depending upon dock configuration. Another option is to add a third dock cleat on the CL of the bow, if it can be placed so that the lines can be routed without using stantions or the pulpit as chocks.

OC

 

[paul4378]

I've got a C18 also . My dock lines have a loop on one end of each of them . I double loop around the cleat with each line . It locks the line in place and is easy to uncleat that way. if you would have to buy new lines to do this it would be easier and more cost effective to change out the cleat

Just bought a 2004 Catalina 18. The cleats on the boat are too small to fit the splice of the eye of 3/8" dockline through, and there is only room for one line per cleat, so can't put a second line on for a spring line. There is only the bow cleat and one stern cleat per side. The cleats that are currently installed are Forespar 6 1/2". They are nylon, and have a closed base. All the resources I've checked indicate 3/8" is the correct size dock line, so going with a smaller line is not something I want to do. We hope to have the boat in a slip next summer. What do folks do to secure these boats to the dock for long term?