Dock lines
Scott, I have mid-ship cleats on the cabin top mounted by the previous owner, but I have considered removing them if I ever get a dodger. I use the primary winches to anchor the springs when I'm docked elsewhere or rafted up. If there is a middle cleat on the dock you could run the springs from the forward and aft cleats. I think the smartest option is to invest in a pair of 1" genoa track cleats. Look them up in the marine catalogues, they're about $50 a piece. But, as I said, don't forget that you can use the winches. As far as line size, 3/8 is recommended, but I prefer minimum 1/2 inch. If you want to chock the line through the space under the cleat, you'll have to stick with 3/8. Even so I still like the larger line. If you get the double braid with large eye you can double loop it over the cleat. During a blow you might want to secure the loop to the cleat with some nylon webbing. One more thing, on my boat the genoa track runs all the way to the transom, right next to the aft cleat. To prevent the rail from chafing the loop strands on the dock line, I sliced a piece of old garden hose lengthwise and slipped it over the rail. It fits perfectly, and you can easily adjust its postion to allow the dock line to ride over it.
