Midship cleat PHOTOS / Flix

[Craig Illman]

The outside track on my 1991 C34 only extends to the bow end of my gate stanchion. I've had track mounted cleats since I've owned my boat, but they're a bit too far aft to be completly effective for docking. They're ok for spring lines, albeit a little short.

I found some attractive Accon 8" folding cleats online and made the investment in hardware and tools to install them properly. The weather finally cooperated the last two weekends and I was able to get the holes drilled, potted with epoxy and re-drilled. With help from my local trustworthy C34 officer, J.H., we got them mounted on Friday. The location just forward of the deck fill and pumpout fittings isn't perfect, but it should work much better than my track mounted location.

   

[wind dancer]

Nice work!  Where did you find those cleats?

[Craig Illman]

Jay - I picked up the cleats on eBay. Search for Accon. I bought the ones that required bolts, they have ones with studs instead. I had to get the bolts, washers & nuts separately. I managed to guess the length at 2.5". I probably could have got them at Tacoma Screw. The backing plates were also acquired online and I had to slowly progress through bits to get up to the 1/2" hole size with the drill press.

Craig

[wind dancer]

Craig,

Thanks for the info -- I'm putting this on the to-do list.

Jay

[Craig Illman]

I forgot to mention that I strongly recommend MaineSail's http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/sealing_the_deck article.

[Stu Jackson]

Nice job, Craig, looks great.  For those of you with inboard tracks, you can purchase a slide on cleat, like this one.  Just be careful to get a fairlead from the cleat to the dock to avoid taking out a stanchion.  It's easy to get a fairlead with this position.

[waterdog]

Stu,

Is that Nylon anchor rode running through your genoa sheet cars?   Do we need to start a collection to get you some nice sheets? 

[Craig Illman]

Steve - No, I think they're recycled dock lines that he splices into sixty foot lengths himself.

[Stu Jackson]

No, ho, me hearties!  It's just anchor line I ran through the jib fairleads to show how you can use a jib winch as an anchor "winchlass" [term invented by a contributor to the co.com 'site, not mine I'm afraid!!].

Only picture handy of the placement of the midship cleat on the track, but it does show it works with line running through the very close fairlead, even horizontally - there's a way better lead from the jib's clew.   

[Ron Hill]

Craig : I like your new cleats!! 
As I wrote in a recent Mainsheet article, get a mid ship cleat that is 8" as 6" is too small.  I used the Schaeffer 8" stainless cleat on the track, but Craig is correct that you're best to get the midship cleat further forward.  A thought

[Craig Illman]

Follow-up - After a solo trip over to the fuel dock & back, I have to say I'm very pleased I made this upgrade. I'll try and get another picture showing it from the dock with a line attached.

[Michael Shaner]

Craig...I'm interested an any pics you can post. Our track mounted mid ship cleats are too far aft...

[Ron Hill]

Michael : From Craig's picture - that cleat he installed is just forward of the vented stanchion and the waste cap.  It's well forward of the front of the inboard Genoa track.  A thought

[Rick Johnson]

Looks to be about the same place that Catalina installs optional midship cleats on a 34 MkII.  Great minds do think alike!

Rick

[Craig Illman]

Rick - I think I like mine better. A couple more pictures.