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.
Nice work! Where did you find those cleats?
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
Craig,
Thanks for the info -- I'm putting this on the to-do list.
Jay
I forgot to mention that I strongly recommend MaineSail's http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/sealing_the_deck article.
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.
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?
Steve - No, I think they're recycled dock lines that he splices into sixty foot lengths himself.
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. :D
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
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.
Craig...I'm interested an any pics you can post. Our track mounted mid ship cleats are too far aft...
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
Looks to be about the same place that Catalina installs optional midship cleats on a 34 MkII. Great minds do think alike!
Rick
Rick - I think I like mine better. A couple more pictures.
Craig,
I agree that you have the better looking alternative. I think I may just decide to copy you, since it would cut down on the stubbed toes. Do you feel the cleat is strong enough?
Rick
Quote from: Rick Johnson on April 30, 2009, 08:18:14 PMLooks to be about the same place that Catalina installs optional midship cleats on a 34 MkII. Great minds do think alike!
Looks like it only took almost ten years to convince the factory to do the right thing. :D :D :D
Rick - It seems more substantial than a track mounted cleat. It's pretty hefty, one half inch mounting bolts. I don't recall the size of the pivot shaft, I'd guess either 5/16 or 3/8".
Craig
I know this is an old topic. However,
Can you place the cleat on the rail instead of the deck?
Thanks
brad
Sure, but it'd be a real bear to access. That's why folks have put them where they have and why sticking one on the track on both sides of the boat is sooooo easy. :D
Some have mentioned here that the track is too far back. I simply don't agree, in use as a midships spring line, since the line goes aft and works well to use to dock, especially single handed. OTOH, having one cleat really AT midships would work for being docked and having a forward and aft spring line when you've finally settled in at the dock with your breast lines.
Thank Stu,
I have a set on the T rail. They do work well. However I busted my toe on that cleat, coming back to the boat after visting my local bar. So I am moving it. I am not sure where I am going to put the Genoa lead car, if I stub my toe on that :)
Brad, I hear ya. I never go on deck without shoes on anymore. Between the fairlead car and the cleat, which are essentially in the same position per my photo on page one of this topic, my toe gets whacked almost every time. I think it has something to do with the "standard stride of male humans" and the distance between stepping out of the cockpit and going forward. Somehow, I manage to miss it coming back aft. Go figger... 8) You'd think I'd remember it was there, wouldn't ya? I anchor out a lot so going forward and coming back is done quite often. It's easier for me to wear shoes all the time because of our climate here.