installing pop up cleats

[JPSkier]

I was thinking about installing pop up cleats. Wondering how hard this is to do and if it's worth doing. Thanks.

[davemac]

Love mine...they are pretty handy to have. Installed them myself (similar boat to yours). Not too tough if you are okay w/ drilling holes in your boat...front ones are easy, rears are a little tricky due to accessibility (try removing the chrome vent grills on the corners). It is one of those jobs that may take a couple hours, but you could do in about 20 minutes the second time around. I put masking tape over the area to drill and marked that up after measuring a hundred times or so.

A "search" should yield some threads w/ tips and instructions. I went w/ the 4.5" Attwoods. Make sure you buy the "backing plates"; else you can easily fabricate your own from some aluminum stock.

One thing to keep in mind is that the cleats may not be accessible when your boat is covered. I had my (Evolution) cover modified by a local canvas guy so they could be used when tied to a dock.