Front Cleat

[rivrat]

I have a 08 VLX, I anchor out alot and im tired of tying off to my front handrails. there is quite a bit of space behind the front navigational light, and i was wondering if anyone has installed a cleat there. Or would it be better to put them on the sides.

[areamike]

It's up to you where you put it. Most of the time they are on the side just past the hand rails towards the wind shield. The only problem I would see with putting it on the nose behind the nav light is if the boat drifts around, the rope might rip that light right off the bow.

If you do it up front like you mentioned, you might go with this

http://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=753

Or if you want something more flush, I have these on my boat.

Edited June 9, 2010 by areamike

[Brad B]

Memorial Day weekend I was tied up with another boat.

Used my bow rail cuz theres no cleat past midship.

I have done this a thousand times before in all kids of bad weather and bad conditions with no issues.

That day was very calm and we were in an out of the way area just chillin.

A wakeboarder came by and it rocks the boats.

And it ripped my port bow rail off - leaving it hanging on just the most fore bolt.

So it didn't sink and I was able to save it.

No fiberglass damage at all!!

Apparently it pulled the bolts right thru the threads of the rail footings.

The bolts with nuts and washers just dropped down inside the gunnels.

Only damage is a bent rail and need to replace the footing threads.

Seems wierd that nothing else was damaged.

but that is the last time I will ever tie off to the bow rail.

[Bill_AirJunky]

Yea, I don't even have bow rails at all. Closest cleat is just below the windshield. We either use the cleat, or the bow eye. Haven't really needed anything else.

But you could certainly install a cleat on the bow if you wanted.

If we ever tie the anchor to the bow, more often than not I'm using it with the Anchor Buddy & it clips on the bow eye with a stainless carabiner. It ain't coming off.

Edited June 9, 2010 by Bill_AirJunky

[areamike]

Yea, I don't even have bow rails at all. Closest cleat is just below the windshield. We either use the cleat, or the bow eye. Haven't really needed anything else. But you could certainly install a cleat on the bow if you wanted.

Yeah rivrat..why not just use the Bow eye?

[Jimmypooh]

Anyone know why the stock front cleats are so far back? I would find it more useful if the cleats were half way to the tip of the bow. Is it because of the curve in the hull causing problems with flat cleats?

Edited June 9, 2010 by Jimmypooh

[yabetcha]

I added a cleat to the bow of my boat for two reasons. A couple seasons ago I lost an anchor that was tied to the bow eye and we never knew it had come undone. Now I tie the anchor line to the bow eye and also attach it to the bow cleat for added security. I also prefer to use the bow cleat when we tie up at the dock in addition to a line on each side.

[dhcomp]

The bow eye is the strong front tie point. Don't really see a reason for the cleat, unless it was on a larger boat where the bow eye is too far town to humanly reach. Its an open bow wake boat, just lean over the front and use the proper tie off place.

No way i'd EVER trust the hand rails with loads on them. Not surprised at all that people have had them rip off.

Its like trying to stand up from the toilet with your towel bar. Its not designed for that load.

[Soon2BV]

i sorta like the front cleat idea. Most of the marinas where we stop have terrible bumper material on their docks, so I tie up off the front rails and then use a seat cushion fpd on the front to keep from rubbing. If i use the front eye, i cant use the seat cushion.

[DONTW8]

Anyone know why the stock front cleats are so far back? I would find it more useful if the cleats were half way to the tip of the bow. Is it because of the curve in the hull causing problems with flat cleats?

Cleat placement to hang the fenders at the widest part of the boat?

I keep 6 different carabiners in my boat. They are aluminum and don't weigh much. Makes it real handy to snap a line to the bow eye.

I got some from climbing shops but the last two were FIVE inch that I picked up at Harbor Freight. I have not seen them elsewhere nor do I find them in their online catalog. The advantage is that the bigger size will clip over your rail or cleat. These are the ones that have a foam pad on one side and are advertised for use to hang your electrical cord.

Edited June 12, 2010 by DONTW8

[sgt1970-442]

i mounted the same ones areamike shows in the pic at just about the front of the windshield.

i got them from overton's about 5 years ago and they fit fine and flat.

[Faceplant409]

I added a cleat to the bow of my boat for two reasons. A couple seasons ago I lost an anchor that was tied to the bow eye and we never knew it had come undone. Now I tie the anchor line to the bow eye and also attach it to the bow cleat for added security. I also prefer to use the bow cleat when we tie up at the dock in addition to a line on each side.

I( added a 6" "Neat Cleat" just like you did! Except mine is pointed front to back. I have more room as I have a fixed bow light, not the pop up... I use it all the time mostly for the anchor.

When I'm in our slip I have a rope that goes across front of slip with a carabiner tied in the middle that gets attached to the bow eye which keeps the nose positioned and two more ropes with carabiners that stay on dock cleats that attach to the rear eyes. When I come in it's click, click, click and done.