Dufour 35 & mooring

poter

poter

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Still going south currently in Corsica for winter
www.fairhead.com
I have a 1974 Dufour 35, after a recent trip I have to get a pair of center cleats fitted.

Is there anyone out there who has done similar. On my old Moody it was easy they just bolted on to the toerail. The Dufour does not have a metal toerail so I have to drill the boat.
Now if your like me putting holes thru a perfectly dry deck is not my idea of fun!!

Any other thoughts or do I have to drill & put a SS backing plate in?

see below...... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

shadyonmooring.jpg


poter
 
I am interested to hear about your trip that causes you to want centre cleats. Did you go somewhere interesting, or lay yourself our going for a pee over the side in the middle of the night?

You will need some substantial backing for an cleat to resist the sheer loads, so thick ply or metal glassed in would be recommended.

Whilst most boat builders seem to glass in aluminium for this purpose, they should know a lot better.

If you have half a concern for a future owner, s/s backing would be best, glassed in, drilled and tapped to take the s/s fastening for the (s/s) fitting. Once made good inside, there should be no need ever to disturb headlinings or rip out lockers etc. again.

This of course is the hard way to do the job as drilling and tapping s/s is bloody difficult.

Me, I would be quite happy using the sheet winches and chain plates instead, with the caveat of plenty of chafe protection if leaving it for any time at all
 
I just sold one of those they are great boats.

There are cleats available that clip onto the headsail tracks, no need for holes but make sure to check that they are tight now and again( I lost mine overboard courtesy of a flogging sheet).
 
Agree, I fitted Barton sliding cleats on my headsail tracks. Much better than drilling holes in the boat and you can adjust the position so that she lies nicely parallel to the pontoon on the one rope while ever so gently motoring ahead - useful if you are coming alongside single handed. Fortunately my track was on the deck, if it's not then not really a viable solution.
 
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