Upgrade cleats
- Thread starter Beneteau
- Start date
I put midship cleats on a 323. I used the Forespar folding cleats that clamp to the toe rail.
I opted for those simply because the flip down and cause less of a trip hazard on the side deck.
Furthermore, I did not have to drill additional holes in the deck, nor find a way to get backing plates above the headliner. Any load on the cleats is spread out along the toe rail.
The idea started out as a temporary solution, and that was about 14 years ago. Still haven’t changed to a more permanent installation. The 323 is a light enough boat that it does not put a lot of strain on the cleats from the spring lines.
I opted for those simply because the flip down and cause less of a trip hazard on the side deck.
Furthermore, I did not have to drill additional holes in the deck, nor find a way to get backing plates above the headliner. Any load on the cleats is spread out along the toe rail.
The idea started out as a temporary solution, and that was about 14 years ago. Still haven’t changed to a more permanent installation. The 323 is a light enough boat that it does not put a lot of strain on the cleats from the spring lines.
I used the Sherman Johnson toerail flip cleats. They work well and are large enough for forward and stern spring lines which really do a lot of work in storm conditions.
Boats with raised metal toerails have to deal with more Chafe unless you either modify the toerails or raise the clear off the deck. Also, you can look into possibly adding Genoa track cleats.
Boats with raised metal toerails have to deal with more Chafe unless you either modify the toerails or raise the clear off the deck. Also, you can look into possibly adding Genoa track cleats.
I’ll answer for Ron. Those openings in the toe rail were original from the factory.
Evidently it was Beneteau’s cheap charlie way out to double up on the bow and stern cleats by running the spring lines from that midship point forward and aft.