See full version: How to Install the Strongest Boat Cleat
You have the surface prepped. Now what?
Step 1: Pre cut 3 pieces of cloth to the appropriate dimension and soak each cloth in resin before setting in place. Rather than brushing, soaking the cloth will ensure the best adhesion. [links]
Someone once said, “you can’t have too many boat cleats.” Well if they didn’t say it, they probably should have. There are basically two types of boat cleats, “pop-up” and “surface mount.” The surface mount is the easier install, however, both require installing a backing block under the deck at the location of the new boat cleat.
Step 3: Set the backing block in place mat side up using a 2×4, or any other type of fixture that will hold the block tightly in place. Wait approximately 30 minutes then remove the 2×4, and liberally apply resin to the surface of the foam block and approximately 3 to 4 inches around the perimeter of the block. This is where you use the pieces of cloth that you’ve pre-cut. Wait until the fiberglass is tacky each time and individually apply the 3 pieces of cloth. After the third cloth has been set, wait about 24 hours for the resin to cure before installing the boat cleat. [links]
I have been in the marine business since 1974. I have a BSEE from Northeastern University, specializing in Marine Sciences Instrumentation. I've been an active offshore sailor for most of my adult life having sailed a couple of Whitbread legs and way too many Bermuda races to mention! more
Tighten all bolts and clean up the BoatLife with a damp cloth being careful not to leave any on the gel coat as it is much harder to get off later. Voila here
Mark the location of each of the screws and ensure that you are using stainless steel fastening hardware (bolts, nuts, washers, and lock washers)
Find the location that works for the cleat, and allows access to the backside of the location.
Tools and supplies we use regularly can be found here: [links]
Video equipment used is: Canon Vixia G40 [links]
So I had already installed 2 cleats in the front of the boat where I was able to use washers and bolts on the underside. The two I am asking about now will be installed on teh back of the boat, on a ledge that goes around the bass tracker. I do not have access underneath, so I strictly will only be able to use screws to hold these particular two cleats in place. I was also wondering if an epoxy/putty or something should go between the cleat and the boat surface for extra bonding since all I will beusing are the machine screws.
Size of screws depends on your cleats, on my small jon boat the small cleats had holes for something like a #10 screw, my other boat with bigger cleats used 1/4". Use SS machine screws, nuts and washers. Nothing goes between the boat and cleat, but use a backer plate (as Bond-0 suggested) goes on the under side of the aluminum.
Re: What kind of screws/process to install new Cleats on aluminum boat? more
HI jstiene. While bots would be best, you should be ok with some SS screws (assuming the material screwing into is relatively thick). The bow cleat on my boat screwed into my 3/4" plywood casting deck, using the largest SS screws that would fit, and it's absolutely rock solid. However, I would dip any hardware you're going to use in a bit of 3M 5200 marine caulk just to make everything water tight and prevent any adverse interaction between the SS and aluminum. You could even put a small bead around the base of the cleat once it's installed, for good measure. You can get a toothpaste size tube from Lowes/HD for about $7 and it's useful for a million other things on the boat. It is a bit messy, so have some Acetone handy to clean up with.
Re: What kind of screws/process to install new Cleats on aluminum boat?
With pop-up cleats these come with backing plates, which allow you to secure them to the underside of the dock.
Any one failure of any of these components can cause a dock cleat to fail. This article https://www.boatus.org/findings/16/ breaks down how these factors come into play. here
One thing to note when it comes to dock cleats, is that the strength of the cleat depends on several factors including its build material, fasteners and backing plate, number of holes, the strength of the rope, and integrity of the plank you are attaching it to. here
While theses are generally less common, they do make plastic dock cleats in the horn type which can be more economical if you plan to install a large quantity of these. here