Installing a cleat in the anchor locker

Oct 24, 2024
7
Catalina 28 Mk 1 Oak Harbor
We have a Cat 28. I was advised to install a cleat in the floor of the anchor locker cabinet. Is the cabinet wall material strong enough to hold a cleat under tension? Thanks
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,622
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
If you have access.... I would add a backing plate. If you can create access... I would make the effort. A cleat in the locker is nice. I had one on my H26 and found myself using it all the time.
 
Mar 26, 2011
3,749
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
I assume the boat has bow cleats suitable for anchoring.

The anchor point in the locker is typically for the bitter end of the rode and is usually a u-bolt, not a cleat. Ropes snag on cleats.

If just a cabinet back ... perhaps not. A backing plate, of course, but look at it (post pics?) and decide. In theory, this anchor point never takes the full load of the rode. It is only to prevent the rode from running out if you have a brain fart. There should be an OBVIOUS warning mark on the rode at least 20 feet from the end. At least a meter or RED. You should never see this mark. But it can take quite a wallop if the boat drifts back on the rode, easily 200-400 pounds.
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,629
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
If you have a bow eye on the stem outside the hull there maybe an opportunity to create a stop for the rode.
The bow eye on the stem could/should have a backing plate inside the hull and probably accessible from the anchor locker. You could back the nuts off, put a pad eye or other hardware with the corresponding hole pattern over the backing plate and replace the nuts. The boy eye would be the backing plate for the pad eye. It should be way strong enough to serve as an endpoint for the rode. With luck you might not have to drill or caulk. It will take some shopping and looking at dimensions.

 
Sep 24, 2018
3,485
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
Use your bow cleats. They're already reinforced. Having something to tie the end to so you don't lose your anchor or rode is helpful. Been there done that. I thought I could stop it before it went overboard. We still laugh about that to this day
 
  • Like
Likes: Ward H
Jun 17, 2022
271
Hunter 380 Comox BC
We have a Cat 28. I was advised to install a cleat in the floor of the anchor locker cabinet. Is the cabinet wall material strong enough to hold a cleat under tension? Thanks
You'll have to inspect the structure and probably drill a hole to confirm the thickness.... Definitely use a backing plate.