tightening forward cleat(s) on an 89 Cat27.

[jcottert]

I just purchased a 1989 Cat 27 and noticed that the forward starboard cleat is not secure to the deck. Trying to tighten it did no good as both bolts continued to turn. I looked for the nuts or backing plates but after essentially dismantling the V-berth area, none could be found. It seems to me that bolts are to the right of the chain locker but before I cut a hole in the locker, thought I'd ask the "list" if anyone has solved this problem and if so, what did you do?

Cotter (jcottert2@juno.com)

 

[Stu Jackson]

Many Catalinas have Beckson circular ports in the anchor locker for just this purpose. If you don't have one, then cut the hole and install a port. It's the ONLY way to get there.

 

[Time Out]

I have a 1987 Catalina 27 and it IS possible to tighten the forward cleats from in the V-birth after disassembling the shelf and forward paneling. It’s a tight fit but you can get a wrench on the nuts and then have someone else on deck tighten the screws. The trick is to make sure you get the wrench on the cleat nuts and not the bow pulpit nuts. The bow pulpit will be a group of three nuts further aft and the cleat will be two nuts about 12 inches further forward. I just tightened both of my forward cleats last month without adding inspection ports. I do agree inspection ports would make this job easier but I didn’t want to cut two big holes in the boat and create more potential leaks.​

 

[shipwreck66]

That little shelf in the v-berth got trashed the first time I needed to get to something up there. Opens up some nice room as a result.

 

[jrowan]

If U don't have a 1st mate to hold a wrench on the turning bolt & nut, then U can just use lock pliers to hold down the end of the nut, & have the handles braced against the hull to prevent it from spinning. If 1 person can spin the bolt from above, than a second pair of eyes below can confirm the offending hardware bolt. I had to tighten all the bolts down on my previous C - 25. Good luck.

 

[jcottert]

Many Catalinas have Beckson circular ports in the anchor locker for just this purpose. If you don't have one, then cut the hole and install a port. It's the ONLY way to get there.

Stu - excellent idea but believe it or not, I eventually got my right forearm and a wrench up to the nuts and had a friend tighten the bolts. Not a job I'd wish on an enemy as i got some good scratches on that arm.

Thanks for the suggestion, cotter

 

[Stu Jackson]

You're very welcome. I still have scars on my right arm from that one.