Association Forum - Adding dock cleats

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Adding dock cleats

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/06/2006 : 09:30:36

I want to add a couple of dock cleats to my new slip. The dock is cement, with quite substantial wooden edging (something like a 4 x 6 or such). The cleats that are already there are attached to this edging.

My question is probably pretty dumb, sorry. What type of fasteners do I use to secure the cleat to the dock? Big wood screws? How deep? Is two large wood screws enough to secure the weight of my boat?

Like I said, dumb question...

(The picture in my signature is my old slip, not the new one...)

Kevin Mackenzie
Former Association Secretary and Commodore
"Dogs Allowed"
'06 C250WK #881
and
"Jasmine"
'01 Maine Cat 30 #34

Edited by - kevinmac on 02/06/2006 09:31:28

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 09:54:05

First I would measure the dock cleats that are presently attached. These are probably held in place by galvainized lag bolts. I would then remove one of the bolts from a present cleat that is not being used and measure its length and diameter. Go purchase those sizes then install. Make sure you pre drill the bolt hole before installing or you might crack the wood and it will make it more diffuclt to install the bolt. A little dishwashing soap on the bolt will also help installation. You might ask the marina what size, but in most cases they are installed by the dock builder and the marina does not know.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 10:10:46

Kevin, I would ask whom ever you have the lease with or at least get there OK. It is stated in my lease that I can't modify the docks without the marina's permission. [it may be an insurance issue]

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 11:26:28

I think you can pretty much count on the marina not letting you bolt anything to the dock (and for good reason). You're already paying the marina for a safe place to tie up your boat, if you really feel the cleats are in the wrong place, I'd complain to them, and tell them to put cleats where you can use them. Also, If it were me, I wouldn't remove a bolt from the cleat that's there.

If you can't get a fix from the marina, it seems like with a little more thought and planning with help from the forum (maybe a simple drawing of the slip/boat showing location of the cleats) we can come up with a good way to tie up your boat.

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 18:13:25

Kevin,

I'm in a marina that has floating docks that look very similar to your (old) picture except the surface is concrete "tiles" with pebbles on the surface. I have three cleats on each side and one in the center at the end of the slip. All the cleats and fasteners are very heavy duty and soundly bolted to the dock framing ..... probably not something you would install yourself, and I agree with the insurance issues. I'm sure my marina would add additional hardware if I asked for it. I surely I pay them enough to be there! I'll see if I can take some pictures for reference next weekend.

I tend towards extreme overkill with my dock lines, since it can get very windy on my lake (recall Kurt's story about being caught in a summer storm!). I have 6 half inch dock lines on the boat, 2 bow, 2 stern, and 2 on the winches which really just hold the boat forward in my slip similar to a swing line. This seems to have kept me safe over the last 5 or so years ......

Max

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Bay Tripper
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 18:21:12

Most dock owners will not allow you to add anything to their docks. You had better first ask for permission. They might do the work for you and bill you later.

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 23:33:25

Thanks everybody. Your advice would have been completely correct for the marina where my last slip was, but this place is different. These slips are really "condos" - each slip is individually owned. You would think there would be a management company, but instead, one of the owners does it, and he does not do much. Many of the other slips have obviously added cleats, haphazardly added differently in each place. I suspect that I could add one or two, and the slip owner would probably not even notice, as long as I pay my rent. Also, in my case, I *don't* pay a lot for the slip, and the private owners (who live in another city) probably just hope they never hear anything from me.

I will try to take a look and see how the current cleats are attached.

As I said, thanks for the advice. I have another thread I started about dock line chafe, I will post a picture there when I next get down to the water.

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mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2006 : 22:21:33

Kevin,

Here's a couple pictures of the dock cleats at my marina and how I tie my boat up. Note the cleat is bolted to a metal framework that supports the dock.

Then you can always hang a fender or two off the dock to help with those inevitable problems getting back into the slip.

I hope this helps some ......

Max

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2006 : 08:06:16

My suggestion is to use lag bolts only as a last resort preferring bolts - nuts and generous washers.

If cleats need set into concrete, a roto hammer would be used to drill holes for shield anchor bolts. The bits for larger sized holes are a little dicey so it might be cost effective to hire it done or rent the roto hammer and drill bit.

Shields come in a variety of forms, and the challenge would be to find sheilds suitable for the marine environment.

As with everything marine, intentional detail thought is needed.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.