Replacing Cleats

[g0twind]

I had the unfortunate event of a cleat being ripped out of the fiberglass this year. Found out there are no backing plates or washers on any cleats on my boat.

Number one priority is to get backing plates on them. However, I am beginning to think I actually want to replace them. I am currently using 3/8" dockline and it barely fits in between the cleats.

Any suggestions on which size/type of cleats to go with? Am I getting into a large project in replacing all of them?

Broken cleat:

[sawingknots]

i got to ask?how did the cleat get jerked off,no cleat even with a backing plate is indestructable,i would go back with the original cleat,i use 1/2 " nylon for docking lines and have never came close to breaking either the line or the cleat

[Lake Superior Sailor]

Wow! It looks like backing plates really won't help ;Try untying be for leaving dock!-Dale

[sawingknots]

the cracks[crazing] around the cleat location is an indication of prior abuse

[sailingfool]

Definitely use the alu backing plates, maybe 3/8" or so and 1/2 to 1 inch wider all sides than the base of the cleat.

It is negligent that the cleats lack backing plates.

Installing such will be only as hard as accessing the undersize of the cleats.

Follow the instructions in for potting the boltholes and bedding the cleats from here:
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...utyl-tape.html

No advice as to increasing size or not, all being equal bigger is better than too small.

[g0twind]

Originally Posted by sailingfool

Definitely use the alu backing plates, maybe 3/8" or so and 1/2 to 1 inch wider all sides than the base of the cleat.

It is negligent that the cleats lack backing plates.

Installing such will be only as hard as accessing the undersize of the cleats.

Follow the instructions in for potting the boltholes and bedding the cleats from here:
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...utyl-tape.html

No advice as to increasing size or not, all being equal bigger is better than too small.

Cleat access is very good. Shouldn't be a problem.

Thank you for this very useful advice!

If I do go up in size, what do I do with the existing holes from the old cleats?

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by g0twind

...
If I do go up in size, what do I do with the existing holes from the old cleats?

Fill them with a paste of West System and colloidal silica, leave a slight divot on top of the filler for some gelcoat. Position the new cleat over the patch and hopefully the mis-matched gelcoat wont be too noticeable (other than to your eye...).

[Barquito]

If you do go up in size, maybe one of the old holes could be drilled bigger (as needed), and the other patched hole will be under the cleat, and not as visible.