Has anyone with a relatively new MKII found a mid-ship cleat that will work with the outside t-tracks? Every one I have found fits the track nicely but has too big a pin size to fit into the holes in the track.
Joe
Joe : Have you looked at the Schaefer Mid-ship cleats in the Defender Catalog on page 228 (upper right corner) ??
They work on the 1 1/4" track and their unique design allow for up to 5/8" line to be looped thur the center. The pins work in my 1 1/4" track! :wink:
Ron: I bought what I beleive were the same ones from West. They fit the track nicely but the pins did not fit the adjusting holes on the track (too big). A customer service person at Sailnet spoke with Schaffer and got me the pin size (don't have that info here at the office) so I am going to measure the track holes before I order and return anoher set.
Do you feel that yours lock place securly enouigh that you are comfortable using them for a spring line under a load or for other somewhat heavy duty use?
Joe
Joe : Guess I don't understand your reply - what's too big? the pins or the holes?
I believe that the cleat pins and holes for a 1 1/4" track are both 5/16"(9mm) size. I'm sure that Schaeffer's is a 5/16" pin; the question you should ask Garhauer is if their holes are 5/16"+?? I'm sure that you know that an exact 5/16" pin will not fit in an exact 5/16" hole!! - the hole must be a fraction larger!!
Mine fits fine, but I haven't nor need to moved it after it was installed!! :think
Ron, Is your midship cleat on the inboard track or some how on the rail?
Phil : My mid ships cleats are on the most forward part of the inside track. I don't have an outside track as it needs to be installed before the top deck is installed to the hull.
Don't know of anyway to get a nut/backing on a flat headed bolt way out/underneath there, after the hull is assembled!! I thought about screws, but don't believe they'd be strong enough. :cry4`
Thank you Ron. I have looked at the rail & didn't think I could get to it to mount a cleat. I have thought about making a block that is rail high & tapered for & aft (to save toes) & bolting through the block. But thats down the list.
Ron - The pins are too big for the holes which are too small.
Will be doing some checking/measuring. I just want to get it on the track, set and then never move it except to take it off totally.
I have the outside track on my MK1.5. Also have cleats at the foward end of each that I use for my springs. Have not had a problem with them. I had double springs on when Hurricane Isabel came through a few years ago. Held fine.
I'll take a look for manufacturer and part number this weekend. Let you know what I find on Monday.
Joe : If you don't plan on moving that cleat on the track, here's what I'd do. You can take a 5/16" drill and make sure the hole is infact 5/16" or do the same with a Dremel tool. You'll have cut thru the anodizing, so put some waterproof/resistant grease in the hole to keep the salt water from corroding the "new" larger hole. :wink:
Just found the reply from Sailnet. Svhaffer says the pins are 3/8", so that would explain why the 5/16" holes don't work. I might go the drilling route.
I have Shaeffer cleats on both outside tracks. The pin size is not a problem for my 1999 Mk II. They are wonderful pieces of gear.
Guys : The Schaeffer catalog on page 59 shows the 70-75 "Mid rail Chock and Cleat" for a 1 1/4" track to have a pin size of 5/16" (9mm) !!! :thumb:
I bought two cleats (forget brand), sent them to Garhauer and they mounted them on a slide that fits the track. Much less expensive than the Schaffer track cleats.
My cleats were made by Nautical Engineering, think WM used to carry them, but not now. During my search I found a link to ebay so they might be available there. My outside track is 1 1/4", holes are 3/8".