Want to switch from one cleat to two at bow of 26S

[Stickinthemud57]

Up until now I have put up with having to push the jib (as it lies bundled on the foredeck) out of the way to get to the single mooring cleat on the foredeck just aft of the bow. Yesterday, I realized how very inconveniently that single cleat is placed if one wishes to sit on the foredeck while changing out one's hank-on sails. Ouch.

I am considering mounting one port and starboard, like on most boats, but am not sure it the decking is up to the stress these cleats might be subject to. Comments? Suggestions?

[kenfyoozed]

As long as you can get to the back of them for proper backing plates I think it would be ok. You should be able to maybe spread them apart but in line , as regards port and starboard ,where the original was located. This would allow you to access underneath from inside the "box" hanging down from the cabin top liner in the v berth. Trying to move them out further to the sides would not allow you access to the back sides unless you cut the liner and move them further aft .

[BillyBobV]

I have a 26S and replaced the single cleat with a fold down cleat like this:



I added a picture and the link to amazon doesn't look like it's posting but search folding cleat and you'll see them.

It works very well for me. I'll try to get photos next time I'm down to the boat, but it will be a couple of weeks. I mounted it so it folds down to the stern, or lifts up to the bow (so it's horizontal to the fwd:aft axis) and can serve either side and the bow.

I find that when I'm heading out, I just take the dock line off of it and put it down and it's out of the way, no snagging and stepping on it doesn't bother me since it's flat. I used a piece of steel for the backing plate on it, which I painted thoroughly to prevent corrosion. Also, the fiberglass deck will give way long before the steel plate.

Cheers

[Stickinthemud57]

I got down in V-berth and removed the access panel and styrofoam from the area under the foredeck cleat. The fiberglass in that area is thin enough that light was making its way through, and backing plates were not that large. A testament to both the durability of fiberglass and Roger MacGregor's talent for cutting it close when balancing strength vs weight.

Since the goal is two-fold: making it possible to sit on that portion of the foredeck without becoming too "intimate" with the hardware and making the cleats more accessible, I will be removing the cleat and the little stainless loop that sits behind it. Since I use my trailer winch to manage the mast, I won't miss it, and I can always use other points of attachment should I need to employ the block-and-tackle method when on the water.

I have ordered a couple of 6" SS cleats from Amazon:
I plan to mount these just aft of the most aft pulpit mount point. These have four attachment points each, so I am going from two to eight total. Properly backed, I'm confident these will suffice.

These areas devoted to styrofoam floatation are tempting indeed. Storage space on a boat is dear, and I could think of many ways to use the areas over the galley and V-berth. Still, I harbor fantasies of doing some coastal hopping, so I will resist for now.