Genny track mooring cleats

[Norfolknick]

Has anyone got any experience of mooring cleats that can be mounted on a genny track. My Sadler 32 is sadly lacking hard points amidships (other than stanchion bases and the base of the shrouds - neither of which I really like using). I am looking for something that I can use to mount my springs whilst not hampering the side decks.

Thoughts??

 

[DJE]

I have a pair on my Sadler 29 right at the front of the tracks. Very useful for springs or a short midships line as a first line ashore. Never had any problems with them but I don't rely on them when leaving the boat for a long time as I'm always doubtful of the capacity of the single pin that stops it sliding along the track.

 

[Contest1]

I use my chain plate, hasn,t caused any problem so far.

 

[PTB]

I've got a pair of Barton cleats clamped on the genny track ... they are adequate ( essential for me when single handed) for temp mooring and occasional springs but I wouldnt trust them long term as DJE points out. I think the ones that slide over the track are better than mine which clamp on sideways and can work loose .... in fact a few years ago I ended up in the oggin at St Helier when the bl==dy cleat fell off! .. No one believed me until at low tide, we, and a crowd of folk convinced I'd lost my balance, spotted the offending cleat on the seabed and rescued it amidst much merriment !. To be fair I had fitted the cleat wrong way round and not checked its tightness.

 

[Leighb]

I have used slide on cleats on the genoa track for some time. They are excellent for fixing an amidships line when coming alongside, can be slid to the best position, and moved out of the way or removed entirely when not needed.

It is better in my opinion than a fixed midships cleat. I am not sure I would use them to fix permanent spring lines, for a start springs should be as long as possible and I am not sure that the sliding cleat is quite as secure as the built in fore and aft cleats. I do use them for short springs when staying the odd night in a marina though if this fits better with available pontoon cleats.

 

[Cardo]

Had them for a season and they're fantastic. Use them for springs, beats using the bottom of the shrouds!

 

[Leighb]

If you do think of getting the Barton slide on cleats you need to check that the track you have is compatible. If it is Barton track obviously no problem. My track was not and I had to slightly modify the slide on cleats to get them to fit. This was not too difficult, it just involved fitting stainless washers between the base and the cleat "pillars".

 

[steve123]

I have a Sadler 32 and it has toe rail cleats something like this: http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/ys-toerail-alloy-spring-cleat-6392.html#.UWaD1XhwZaQ
Has the benefit of the springs not crossing the side deck.

 

[doug748]

I have Barton turning blocks on my track which I use mainly for coming alongside. I had a similar problem to Leighb and had to modify them a bit, they were cheaper than the cleats and work ok for that specific job

Later I fitted midship cleats anyway. Not a huge job and you can proably tuck them away better, by the toerail. Clearly one for the end of the season rather than the start, though.

 

[Norfolknick]

I have a Sadler 32 and it has toe rail cleats something like this: http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/ys-toerail-alloy-spring-cleat-6392.html#.UWaD1XhwZaQ
Has the benefit of the springs not crossing the side deck.

Steve that looks like a winner! Many thanks.

 

[Spuddy]

My solution was similar to leighb's. I used climbing carabiners through the holes in ally toerail. Cheap enough and strong enough and easy to shift to other positions.