Changing a V-Cleat to a C-Cleat?

[funjohnson]

I ran a search for "cleat", "changing cleats, " and "v-cleat", but turned up nothing that helped.... I tried!

I just bought my first boat... a 1998 Hunter 240. It seems to be a great beginner boat for my wife and me, but I've already found an issue. The V-cleat for the jib will not hold the sheet. We tack, pull in the jib, try to lock the sheet in and BANG, it's out flapping in the wind. After researching this online, I see it is a common issue with this years Hunters. The answer seems to be replacing the worthless v-cleat with a cam cleat.

Problem I have is trying to figure out how to do this without creating holes in my new-to-me boat. The V- cleats run lengthwise and the cams are sideways. How is this fixed? Is there a plate I can buy that will hold the cam cleat in the same holes that are there for the V cleat?

I know there has to be a simple answer, but after looking and looking, I'm out of ideas.

Thank you,

Matt Johnson

[capn_dave]

You can either make a mounting plate out of a piece of stainless. Drill the holes to fit the the V-cleat mount and then drill holes for the cam cleat. Not real hard to do. You could also fill the old holes with Marine Tex and drill new ones. The Marine Tex will not be quite the same color but probably close enough. It is quick and easy to do and after a little sanding you will probably be the only one that notices them.

Fair Winds

Cap'n Dave

[funjohnson]

Would the Marine Tex be as strong as the original fiberglass? I do not want to weaken the deck.

[sailingdog]

Unless you're using a large expanse of Marine-tex, you're not going to significantly weaken the deck by using it. The holes can be safely and easily filled using MT...

Just FYI—The "v- cleats" are actually called clam cleats.



The ones I have pictured are ones with an integrated fairlead.


Would also recommend you read the post in my signature... to get the most out of your time here on sailnet. Welcome to the asylum.

[funjohnson]

Thanks for that info. Do you have any cam cleats you would recommend? Are there any bad ones?

That explains why I was not able to find much by searching "v-cleat"

[zz4gta]

Just make sure they'll accept your size sheets.

http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|118&id=295771

[sailingdog]

I'm a big fan of these. LINK

[funjohnson]

You guys are awesome! I'm about to order the cam cleats listed. This should be a great project for the holiday weekend.

Thanks again,

Matt

[capn_dave]

and I are on the same page. Those are good cleats the the Dog picked out.

Here in windy and wet North Florida

Fair WInds

Cap'n Dave

[chucklesR]

A neat trick for patching the screw holes left behind - use a old fashioned razor as your putty knife, it is so smooth you can get away without sanding as the razor is smooth on it's edge.

Use either finger nail polish remover or acetone (the active ingredient to polish remover) and a q tip to wipe/scrub away the Marine tex that isn't part of the hole. I'd put tape around the hole to limit the clean up.
No one but you will know it's there.

But you'll always know

You will need to look to where the current clam cleat is fastened, is it simply screwed in, or is it mounted with bolts etc.. that might entail removing the liner from the cabin/getting under the cockpit coaming. If it's simply screwed in now you and you can get to the underside go ahead and upgrade to a bolt with a big finder washer to offer more support.
Assuming you normally take a few wraps around a winch and the cleat is simply to hold the line it might not take much to hold it, but bigger is always better.