Mid ship cleats

[Neil Gordon]

Not having a midship cleat, we drop the eye over the genoa winch, it work well for us and I would imagine you could drop more eyes than you would ever need over those winches.

I've used cockpit winches, as well. Just be careful that any strong point you're using is well backed for the direction of pull... winches are fine for fore/aft loads, but I'm less comfortable with side loading.

[Steve Laume]

Most of my dock lines don't have eyes spliced into them. This summer I ran into some very high docks, winds and tides. It is nice to be able to adjust lines from the dock or boat. This means you need loooong dock lines that you can cleat to the boat with a significant tail so as to be able to let out a bit of line from the boat or dock as the need arises.

The new cleat that David added to Ariel does look like it has slightly longer horns than the one I have on Raven so maybe Spartan took notice and tweaked the design. I would not rule them out but was just making a comment on their utility. I have a track mounted cleat that I could move up but don't bother with it so it certainly isn't that big a concern to me. I could also use the midship cleat as a chock and go to a winch but I rarely do that either, Steve.

[Neil Gordon]

>>Most of my dock lines don't have eyes spliced into them.<<

Easy enough to make one longer dock line from two shorter ones, by joining them at the eyes. That would let you cleat either end.

[Joe Myerson]

My 25D doesn't have a midship cleat. While I've pondered buying those Schaefer cleats, I have so far opted to use my cockpit winches. It seems to work with a boat as small as Creme Brulee.

--Joe

[Tom Keevil]

It is interesting that the idea of dock cleats hasn't really caught on in the Pacific Northwest. They do exist, but the most common arrangement is what is called a Bull Rail. This is a raised 4x4 that runs the length of the dock. There is nothing to drop a loop over; you tie up with a round turn and two half hitches.

I don't know why it is like this. Perhaps historically they had a lot of low priced lumber, and little money for hardware.

With the extreme tidal ranges out here, almost all docks are floating, and the need to adjust dock lines is minimal. Most boats have docklines with a loop to attach to the boat, and a free end to tie to the bull rail.

We have the Schaefer track cleats, which work well, but they are a bit small for two lines.

[tjr818]

It is interesting that the idea of dock cleats hasn't really caught on in the Pacific Northwest.... I don't know why it is like this....

At our harbor dock cleats are not allowed. They are deemed a trip hazard by the insurance company. We too have floating docks, they have steel posts at each end for attaching dock lines

[Neil Gordon]

>>... the most common arrangement is what is called a Bull Rail. This is a raised 4x4 that runs the length of the dock. There is nothing to drop a loop over; you tie up with a round turn and two half hitches.<<

That's common on dinghy docks here, generally with a 2x4 or a length of pipe. I prefer a highwayman's hitch for the dinghy, because I can be on board before quick releasing with a tug on the line.

[Lisa G.]

They're not exactly tiny and they will easily accommodate a couple 1/2 lines. I find it easiest in my slip to just drop a couple eyes over the midship cleat since I'm on a floating dock and don't have to adjust my lines. I find they are of sufficient size but not larger than routinely needed.

[Lisa G.]

Barlow makes a cleat,(or used to ) that fits the aluminum track of your sheet cars. Not a perfect solution but they help for spring lines etc.

[Lisa G.]

Our Spartan midship cleats are one of the best improvements we've made to Ariel. Not only are they functional, but they're attractive. I'd install them all over again. The only other similar addition I'd recommend are track-mounted cleats farther aft. One can never have too many secure points for attaching docklines. We have a nice Schaefer brand cleat on one side, and a knock-off something on the other side. The Schaefer is a nice piece of hardware, albeit pricey.

The Spartan cleats are a little small for line bigger than 9/16". It's certainly possible to cleat two lines - one atop the other - on the midship cleat, but the horns are just a tad short. Sometimes with larger line it's necessary to throw loops over the cleats and tie off on the dock.

[Lisa G.]

On sale now at Defender.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?pa ... 020&id=598

I am thinking of one of these for our 33. Right now I have an old track mounted cleat on the rail and while it works nicely it is a bit small for 1/2" dock lines. My brother has one of these and it should be large enough. Also, we've found that placing them on the rail aft of amidships works better than the factory mounted ones that are located more forward on the rail. The boat pulls into the dock more parallel, not bow in, as you take up the strain. Good when you come in a little hot and solo.

[Lisa G.]

>>You can drop a spliced eye or two over the cleat but that is not how I would like them to function.<<

Okay, here we go. Welcome to Fall and the unresolved (so far) "Which end of the line goes on the dock?" question/discussion.

Traditionally, you toss lines ashore, one at a time, eye end first, and a handy line handler slips the eye over the cleat you want it on. On board, crew can ease a line, take up slack, or hold a line, using a convenient on board attachment point. It works well if you have (i) someone ashore, and (ii) crew on board. It works less well if you are docking alone, and taking your own lines from boat to dock.

By the way, leaving the dock without assistance on shore, dock lines cleated on board can be set up so that they can be released from cleats on the dock, even under strain, and then be brought on board. With the eye on board, a line under strain perhaps can't be released at all, and in any case, there's no way the line can then be brought on board.

One additional thought: Two eyes can share a cleat, and either can be released without disturbing the other. Not true for two lines cleated off one over the other. It matters less on small boats, but as forces increase, it's good to keep in mind.