Midship Cleat

[mholt]

Hi,

We have a 2005 Cataliina 36 and are having trouble fitting a midship cleat. We have tried all the standard cleats for a 1 1/4 size track and although most fit on our friend's 36 Catalina (2000), the holes in our track seem to be a bit smaller than other Catalina's. Has anyone run into this? Most pin sizes are 9 mm.

Thanks,
Michele

[plaineolde]

I couldn't find any track mounted cleats that were large enough; I have a pair on there, but were not sufficient size to hold a 5/8" spring line. So I added a pair of midships cleats identical to the bow and stern cleats Catalina used. I cut a block of starboard about 4" x 6" to raise the cleat even with the toe rail, then drilled it through the deck. Coated the inside of the holes with epoxy to (hopefully) prevent any leakage from damaging the core.

The other issue for me was that, since I back into my slip, any track mounted cleat would be too far aft for a 'stock' dock line to reach. With my mid-ships mounted cleat, a 35ft dock line is just the right length.

I know that doesn't answer your question.

[ProfDruhot]

Gary, that sounds like a great fix. Could you include a photo sometime?

[plaineolde]

sure, next time I'm down, probably next week; it's in the mid 90's this week a bit toooooo hot with no A/C (maybe next year....)

[ProfDruhot]

Yeah, I hear you. It is suppose to be in the low 100's. You are right, even with the A/C on at the dock it is tough to enjoy yourself.

[John Reimann]

Yes, that heat is a killer. Why, out here in the SF Bay it actually was so hot I had to wear a sleeveless shirt when I was sailing the other day - up in the 80s! Can you imagine?http://www.c36ia.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Peter Taylor]

I have a 2005 C36 and purchased a Schaefer MID RAIL CHOCK & CLEAT Item No 612955. This is a beautufilly made stainless steel cleat mounted on a 1/1/8inch sliding track section. The pins fit the holes in my outside genoa track.

I bought it from Defender in the US.

There is also a Garhaeur track cleat which has a plastic cleat and may break if you load it up heavily on mooring - dont ask me how I know.

[stu jackson c34]

Here are some ideas: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4921.0.html

[nelson]

I very much like the look of the folding cleat in the C34 link that Stu provided. The installation was first rate, too, with holes drilled, epoxied, drilled again, and ss backing plates used down below. This is how I would go were I to do this upgrade.

-Nelson

[gforaker]

I have used the Schaefer track mounted ones for 10 yesrs. They look good and work perfectly.

[Stephen P. Wilson]

I have the same vintage boat as you and had to slightly enlarge (drill out) the track to accommodate the larger pin size on the cleat - it works fine.