[C320-list] Mid-ship Cleat

[Greg Flanagan]

I am very interested. Not sure if I can contribute to the project. I wonder if enough people "signed on" if a fabricator could be found? I have needed this mid ship cleat former the beginning and clearly so do many others. An oversight of Catalina's in the 320.

Thanks much,

Greg Flanagan
Sidney, BC 
Hoop Dancer # 1076

> On Jul 26, 2016, at 3:09 PM, Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> Lots of good discussion on the perm vs track mounted mid-ship cleat.
> 
> My issue with the track mounted cleat is that we use the Garhauer adjustable
> genoa cars all the time and use a lot of the available track.  The ideal
> spot for the mid-ship cleat (if there is one on the track) is at a point
> where the adjustable genoa car would be obnoxiously in the way when we want
> to use the cleat and we'd have to move the car way aft to get it out of the
> way when using the cars..
> 
> It is also inboard quite a bit and if you get the line on the wrong side of
> a given stanchion when trying to cleat off, you risk bending one.
> 
> So... The toe-rail mount is a better idea for me, however, I wouldn't want
> the cleat attached to the toe-rail itself.
> 
> Consider how the mounting plate for the side stanchions are attached.  They
> have a SS plate that attaches to the deck and then angles up and over the
> top of the toe-rail.  So, here's what I've been thinking about for some
> time...
> 
> * Fabricate a polished SS plate along the same profile lines as the
> stanchion attachment plate but thicker SS and longer (about the length of a
> cleat).  
> 
> * Have about a 1.5" x 6"? foot that sits flat on the deck close to the
> toe-rail (leaving enough room for drainage like the stanchions do).  This
> part would get thru-bolted (like the stanchions).
> 
> * Then angles up the side of the toe-rail following the curve and extends
> horizontally across the top of the toe rail and wraps around down the
> outside of the toe-rail an inch or two
> 
> * The mid ship cleat would be tapped into this SS plate. 
> 
> * I'd consider using a small patch of 4200 or 5200 to adhere the plate to
> the top section of the toe rail to provide cushion and adhesion.
> 
> This way, there is no drilling into the toe-rail (which would seem fragile
> to me, especially with any outward pulling force).  The mounting plate
> itself would handle outward fore/aft pull just fine with the wrapped toe
> rail providing some additional stability.
> 
> With this kind of install, there would only need to be two appropriately
> sized machine bolts through the deck per cleat.  I think I could find
> someone to fabricate a high quality part like this so that it wouldn't look
> out of place.  There would be almost nothing to stub a toe on either.
> 
> So, if I get some time to whip up a CAD drawing and find someone to
> fabricate these, I'll share with anyone interested.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> -Jeff Hare
> #809
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
> Of jbrown5093 at yahoo.com
> Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2016 4:34 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mid-ship Cleat
> 
> I have seen 320s where different track cleats wouldn't fit on the upper
> track that is recessed. Into the cabin top. The problem isn't with the width
> of the track but with the length. If just a hair too long you can't get the
> cleat to slide on because it wont "fit" in the space between the end of the
> track and the beginning of the recess. My shaffers do fit but another brand
> (ronstan maybe) won't go on.  On another boat even the shaffers wouldn't
> slip on. So if you plan to use them on both tracks try before you buy.
> 
> Great tip on stopping the hunting at anchor,  Chris. Can't wait to try it.
> 
> Jim Brown
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>>> On Jul 26, 2016, at 3:35 PM, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> FWIW.  I measured my jib track ('98 # 517) a couple of days ago and it was
> 1-1/4 ". 
>> Leaning even more now to track-run cleats.  Still reviewing though.....
> Would prefer cleat on gunnel ridge under life line but may not be practical
> (worth the effort).
>> Thanks,
>> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C
> (919)-618-7185
>> 
>>     From: Beverly Wright <bev.wright at verizon.net>
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2016 2:50 PM
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mid-ship Cleat
>> 
>> I have two track cleats that are different from each other, can't recall
> the brands, one came from the other owner and I bought one.  They are a
> great choice because they can be removed when racing and cruising (they have
> caught the lines on occasion) and moved along the track for spring lines
> when rafting to other boats or at marinas. I had not thought about attaching
> a 1/4" line to the pin but I'm definitely doing that because it provides
> something to hold on to when removing them. I almost had one go overboard as
> it was being removed.  I haven't had the issue that Commitment has, but I
> will keep that trick in mind if we find that happening at anchor.
>> 
>> My tracks are 1 1/4" per the diagram in the manual
>> 
>> Bev Wright
>> s/v Whoosh
>> Edgewater, MD
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On 
>> Behalf Of Chris Burti
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2016 2:05 PM
>> To: 320
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mid-ship Cleat
>> 
>> I have both (two Garhauer and one Schaefer) and prefer the Schaefer.
> Adding a loop of 1/4" line to the pin made  far more useful. I move it from
> side to side, forward and aft on the tracks and up and down  from the Genoa
> track to the jib track on the cabin top. This proved farm re effective in
> setting spring lines at the multitude of docks we experienced on our cruise.
>> 
>> In addition, Commitment sails like a drunken bat when at anchor in any
> wind over 5 knots. Using a rolling hitch to tie a spring line from the
> anchor rode to a mid-ship cleat set well forward moderates that tendency
> greatly.
>> 
>> Chris Burti
>> Farmville, NC
>> 
>> 
>> On Tue, Jul 26, 2016 at 12:47 PM, Stephen Cox <scox at timmin.com> wrote:
>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Don't mount one get the Garhauer that fits on the track
>>> 
>>> Personally  think the Schaefer equivalent is a nicer cleat.  It looks 
>>> more in keeping with the other cleats on the boat, has no protrusion 
>>> on top to catch lines either.  Defender sell them.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> 
>>> Stephen Cox
>>> Tegwen #1141
>