Mooring Cleats loose .. Very Frustrating

[Tom]

First my port cleat loosens, now my starboard. One bolt in each has stripped from normal slip wave action. There is obviously a threaded backing plate and no nut. Ive tried to retap to next size but experienced same problem. I suspect the backing plate is very thin (shame). Can't access from inside due to foam and is simply in a remote spot (otherwise fix would simply be to add a nut). Can't get there. Ideal for a s.s. toggle bolt but guage would be too small for this purpose. Need strength...What happened here? Need a durable solution. Anybody else have this problem (have you checked). Help.

 

[Steve Dion]

IDEA!

Tom:Can you relocate the cleat so you just have one larger one? You may be able to center it and use a regular backing plate (plywood or metal) and use this for your docking lines.

 

[Ray Bowles]

Since the backing plate appears unable to

hold threads as you say, will the other bolt in the cleat also suffer the same fate? Could you use any type of large rivet? Sounds like replacing or reinforcing the backing plate is the only real fix.Wow...., good luck.RayS/V Speedy

 

[Tom]

Hats off to Eddie at Hunter

Hats off to Eddie at Hunter with a recommendation (especially having little else to go on other than my work e-mail address). The recommendation is to use a helicoil. Excellent solution. Thanks for being a great detective and calling me personally. That's service!

 

[Rick Webb]

Another Idea...

that I have considered on mine even though the cleats are fine. Is to replace the ones that came on the boat with "Yacht Cleats" like the ones on page 477 of the West Marine catalog. There is more room to pass the line through the middle of the cleat and it is held on with four screws instead of only two.