Mid-ships cleat (or lack of)

ProDave said:
Can we be clear what he intends to use this centre cleat for?

If it's just for a temporary line to hold as you come alongside single handed, then just do as I do, my temporary berthing line is just tied to the hand rail on the coach roof. Once tied up properly, the centre line is untied and put away.
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That is exactly the use that the line would be required for. Or to be more precise when entering a finger berth drop the loop over the outer berth cleat to assist in stopping the boat which is moving very slowly (getting to the o/b gear lever involves getting over the tiller and diving between the twin back stays) and to hold the boat whilst the proper lines are made up. Not meant as a permanent line.
 
I have less side-deck than you but these plastic cleats are ideal for the job you want. A couple of quid each plus some stainless bolts and some plywood backing pads.
Although they look rather forward on this boat that is the ideal spot as a line there holds the boat in perfect balance.
Those who think you are going to tear your deck out are thinking about much bigger boats. I fitted exactly the same to Feckless. Just make sure they are outboard enough to allow you to pass a line around them without fouling the coachroof.

alongsideboathouse03.jpg
 
Update:

Tried the new arrangement (block shackled to aft chainplate) yesterday afternoon whist berthing at Southsea marina. Almost worked but the chainplate was too far forward of the widest part of the boat and the bow swung in and stern swung out. Next test will be with the line through the track runner at it's most forward position as this is almost on the widest part of the boat.
 
Tie a line from the chain plate to the rearmost car position on the track. Then a mooring line onto that with a couple of half hitches or whatever.
Then when you attach the line to a bollard you can slide it up and down the fixed line to see where the best balance is achieved. Mark that point with a bit of electrical tape or similar.
Now you know where to fit a cleat.
 
I have a similar problem on my 21 footer. When single handed, I run a line outside of the stanchions, attached either end to the fore and aft cleats. I make it as tight as possible. Then tie your mooring line to it in the middle. When approaching the pontoon, I fling the mooring line over the pontoon cleat and use as a brake if necessary. Then tie of as normal. Simples!
 
Pkewish said:
I have a similar problem on my 21 footer. When single handed, I run a line outside of the stanchions, attached either end to the fore and aft cleats. I make it as tight as possible. Then tie your mooring line to it in the middle. When approaching the pontoon, I fling the mooring line over the pontoon cleat and use as a brake if necessary. Then tie of as normal. Simples!
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I like that.
It will have more spring than a short centre line.
 
Another easy way if you don't have a cleat is to tie a line to the bow cleat and run it to about midships and make a bowline at that point. take another longer line from the stern cleat and put it through the bowline. You then step off with the stern line and the boat under full control. The bowline is easy to undo when required.
 
Pkewish said:
I have a similar problem on my 21 footer. When single handed, I run a line outside of the stanchions, attached either end to the fore and aft cleats. I make it as tight as possible. Then tie your mooring line to it in the middle. When approaching the pontoon, I fling the mooring line over the pontoon cleat and use as a brake if necessary. Then tie of as normal. Simples!
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Now i like the sound of that!
I have a tucker Pintail, so to get to the bow involves climbing over the coachroof, but this may work instead.
:D
 
Frankie-H said:
Third. Only for 17 years in my case. Mine slide open over the track though, which I can't see from the photos. I also use them for main boom preventers on each side.
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I'm glad I saw this thread. We've been suffering with the lack of mid-ships cleat and resort to using the base of the shrouds for one of our springs. I'll be looking out for these bad boys at the boat show tomorrow!
 
Cardo said:
I'm glad I saw this thread. We've been suffering with the lack of mid-ships cleat and resort to using the base of the shrouds for one of our springs. I'll be looking out for these bad boys at the boat show tomorrow!
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If they are there look on the Barton stand. :)
 
When singlehanding my 22' I run a line from a foredeck cleat outside all the guardrails etc to the front of the cockpit; both sides if I'm unsure what's going to appear.

I put a reasonably big bowline on the line end/s, ( bearing in mind if I'm unlucky I might be faced with a closed fairlead or even a ring so would have to get rid of the knot PDQ ) then when coming alongside the finger pontoon, hopefully very slowly, drop the bowline over a likely looking cleat and point the tiller towards the pontoon, engine on dead slow to keep the stern in.

Motoring the autohelm over in standby mode is one way of holding the tiller.

Then I can nip ashore with 'proper' lines, shut off engine and if necessary walk her to the optimum spot on the pontoon.

I've often wondered about cleats on the tracks, they're certainly strong enough, but

A, I'm worried about the sheets snagging while sailing

B, Not had a real requirement in 34 years

C, Have you seen the price of these cleats !
 
Lakesailor said:
Plastic 4" cleats are about £2.50 each. Do the job just as well.
That is value.
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Yes, but you have to drill holes in your deck and provide a backing plate. If you go back to the OP he does not have clear deck space where he needs the cleat. The big advantage of cleats on the track is that you can use them in different positions and no need to drill extra holes.

If this is of value to you then buy them, if it is not buy the basic cleat. You can see from this thread a number of people (including me) do value them - and the value is forever, long after you have forgotten the price!
 
And as I pointed out, I've not really found a need in 34 years with this boat, I don't stint on kit if I think it worthwhile.

So, value to others - could be worth their weight in gold, as apparently they may well actually be.

Pour Moi, le grande zero !
 
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