mast cleat on 40.5

[pmcrosta]

Hi,

I just ordered a mast cleat (http://shop.hunterowners.com/hp/part.php?m=40.5&c=6&p=52773) to put onto my 40.5's aluminum mast (no in-mast furling).

The cleat did not come with any hardware, and I am not sure what size screw to use. Anyone know the best way to mount this?

Thanks!

 

[jssailem]

For Mast hardware, there are two techniques I use depending on the function. Pop-Rivet or machine screw into threaded hole.
As your mast cleat needs a strong attachment with high level shear strength, my suggestion is stainless machine screws into tapped threaded holes in your mast. Use a good thread sealant to protect against dissimilar metal corrosion (lanakote or locktite are popular thread coatings).

 

[rgranger]

I would through bolt it. More than likely your cleat was designed to take a flat head bolt like this...

So what you need is a SS or aluminum bolt that is long enough to go all the way through the mast. Ideally you would also want a compression sleeve inside the mast but that would require you to drop your mast so maybe skip that part and just don't over tighten the bolts. If your cleat is also aluminum, I'd try to find aluminum bolts and nuts. Where I live there is a company that only sells fasteners and you can find just about anything in just about any size. But you could probably take your cleat to Lowes, find a bolt with the right diameter and then order what length you need on Amazon. If it were me, I'd put two nuts with lock tight on the back side of the bolt, hack off any bolt protruding past the nuts and then use a grinder to buff off the sharp edges and then sand it smooth so nothing sharp to catch a sail or finger.