The Boating Forum - Bow cleats

Am putting two new open base stainless steel yacht cleats on the bow of my 18 foot center console. Need two cleats because I use two anchors pretty often.

Question is whether to mount the cleats in a conventional manner, lined up fore and aft, spaced about a foot apart about 18 inches from the bow and also use two skene chocks at the edge of the deck. Or, just mount the cleats parallel to the edge of the deck, near the edge of the deck and forget the chocks. This is how Parker, May Craft and many others are doing it today.

I like the first way I described best, but the other way the bow is clear and can be sat on comfortably without sitting on a cleat. Also, eliminating the chocks saves buying and installing one more item of equipment.

Some might think this is a small item but looks and function wise there could be quite a bit of difference.

Any opinions?

Why not use pop-up hardware and then no worries about getting snagged?

If you were to mount the cleats parallel & close to the edge to eliminate need for chocks would you still have access & room to properly bolt through to a wide-base substantial backing plate or block to spread the shock load so they are less likely to rip out when most needed? I suspect that type is often best used by the folks who make the boats and have access before the parts are put together, but maybe ...?

If you go the other route and no chocks are already installed, may I suggest you use ones with openings sized to accept the largest mooring line you might ever end up needing to use temporarily. My OEM chocks are too small for the at least 3/4" pendant on my storm mooring, so I have to add a 5/8" bridle to the pendant, with chafe gear slid through the narrow chocks.

I like the cleats near the edge, and then a SS 1/4 round along the side of the deck, so the anchor line does not chafe into the fiberglass.

Thanks for all the input.

I really don't like pop up cleats, I like to eliminate rattling moving parts where ever I can, and you need to cut a large hole to mount them.

Yes I do have room with either option to install proper backing blocks.

Yes chafe is a possible issue with the edge mounted cleats, this is one of the reasons I lean to the traditional set up with chocks. The stainless strips are a good idea.

One question I forgot to mention, and it relates to being able to handle large lines if need be. Should I use 8 inch or 10 inch cleats? I bought four nice 10 inchers but I could return them and get 8s. The 10 inchers might look a bit big for the boat, although I used to have a 17' Dell Quay Dory with 10 or 12 inch cleats and it looked really commericial and ready for anything.

It's good to have options, go for the big ten inch!