Broken deck cleat

[brak]

While rebedding deck cleats, I found that one of them had a crack in a base - and as I tried to tighten it back, base broke. Well, better now than in a blow. However, these are fairly old aluminum cleats and I can't seem to find an exact replacement with the same hole pattern.

Other than giving up and drilling the deck differently, am I missing any ideas? Are there, perhaps, unfinished cleats out there that I can drill to suit my deck?

[sailaway21]

I'd keep looking for a match. One of those marine stores that looks like a hurricane damaged flea market would probably yield the best results. They'll probably have three of 'em they've been looking to move for twenty years.(g)

Failing that, you can pick up some stainless steel plate and drill it to match your deck holes and the drill it to match your new cleat. You'll have to do some countersinking. I'd probably not go that route, though. I'd probably replace the other similar cleats as well on the theory that they are fatigued also. Plug your holes with thickened epoxy, drill new holes, epoxying them, and bed the new cleats.

I am unaware of any undrilled cleats. I suspect that manufacturers drill all their cleats and avoid any possible problems associated with mis-mounting.

For the above idea, and improved strength, you could also use a piece of teak between the cleat and the stainless.

[brak]

Good idea about marine second-hand store I will try that.

I inspected other cleats for any signs of cracking and all appear to be in good shape, so this seems to be a one-off occurence (crack was pretty obvious, I just hoped it won't deteriorate that quickly).

[USCGRET1990]

Originally Posted by brak

Good idea about marine second-hand store I will try that.

I inspected other cleats for any signs of cracking and all appear to be in good shape, so this seems to be a one-off occurence (crack was pretty obvious, I just hoped it won't deteriorate that quickly).

I'm sure many of us have access to some old cleats. Post a pic and the demensions, who knows someone might have one or know where one is at.

[CapnHand]

Depending on the type of boat you have, the manufacturer or an owners' group may direct you to replacement hardware.

[brak]

Well, this is a Hallberg Rassy 35, 1972. Manufacturer gave up on this model long ago

The dimensions are as follows:

8" long, 4 hole deck cleat with open base, hole pattern of 2-1/4" wide and 2-1/4" deep (i.e. holes are at the corners of a square of that size, essentially). Anyone?

[sailingdog]

You might be able to find some 10" cleats in stainless steel that have that same hole pattern.

However, I would go with stainless steel or bronze cleats, since they're both stronger and less likely to suffer from the galvanic corrosion which is probably what did your old cleats in. The aluminum probably reacted with the stainless steel fasteners.