Fitting additional cleats........

[mrgrumpy2]

I am thinking about fitting two additional cleats on my US sports cruiser. They will be fitted on the deck midway between the stern and mid ships, with access gained via the engine bay. Are there any any tricks of the trade or potential problems I should be aware of. What would be the recommended proceedure. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cliveshep]

Bolt not screw of course, bed on mastic, and provide as big and stiff a backing plate as you can get in to spread loads. If your backing plate won't lay flat due to shape of underside of side deck bed on P38 or similar 2-pack body filler and allow to go hard before fitting. You'll probably need a springy batten to hold the plate in place untill the filler sets.

 

[Elessar]

try and work out if the deck is cored where you want to drill - you should be able to tell at the rub rail, if not you'll find out when you drill the hole.

If it's not cored no problem just use the already described backing plate.

If it is cored and and the core is already wet sell the boat.

If it is cored and dry you MUST keep water out of the core. The core is probably balsa which is and excellent core except it absorbs water. Best is to drill the holes, scoop out a lump of core bigger than the hole with an allen key in a drill, fill the void with epoxy and drill new holes through that. Use a big backing plate as already stated. The lump of epoxy keeps the core dry and stops you comprssing the core when you tighten the bolts.

If you want to keep the boat 3 years or less then copious amounts of sikaflex in the holes and under the cleat will probably do.

 

[jfm]

Agree generally, and if possible I'd shape the backing pad so less use of P38 if poss, and also when you say bed on "mastic" it's important to remember there are lots of types and what is needed here is sikaflex 292 which is a firm/rubbery setting mastic with strong adhesive properties. It's what boat builders would use to bed cleats onto. Sika 291 would do, but 292 has stronger adhesiveness

 

[Cliveshep]

Not specifying mastic, that'd start another wild goose chase similar to "which anchor" posts.

 

[mrgrumpy2]

Thanks guys.....once again your experience and knowledge is invaluable.