Have you ever added a docking cleat to your boat?

[Keith_Menard]

After watching my pride and joy do it's best impression of a submarine last year, I have changed a couple things...

 

First, the boat. While I work on the Jet Boat, I have a 2002 Gekko GTO 22. Amazingly enough, it doesn't have much more free board than the Jet.

 

Second, I now park bow out.

 

I tie the back of the boat to the tow, but the middle of the boat, I tie off to the ski pylon, which then makes it a pain to put the cover on. Had anyone added a docking cleat to their boat? Looking for some advice on that.

[Jody_Seal]

Most manufacturers offer pop up cleats. you could order a pair from most any of the dealerships or look online.

 

I omit them from my boats as I had a personal experience with them years ago. Lets just say I slipped over the side of the boat and got my personal junk hung up on one that was popped out..

[ScottScott]

Surprising that cleats are an option that seem to be left of most ski boats where they are pretty standard on most other boats. Many boat supply stores will have a couple cleat options. The pop up look nice and will protect your junk..... after drilling pilot holes, counter sink slightly to keep gel coat from cracking, then put a sealant on the screws before screwing them in.

[gregy]

I put on some pop up from Accon Marine. They were in the scratch and dent section.

[skiinxs]

I can't stress how important the comment from @ScottScott is, especially if you are using self-tapping screws and not through-bolting. (although if at all possible cleats should be through bolted) If a thread of a self-tapping screw comes in contact with any gel-coat as it it driven in, you WILL get gel-coat cracks. Counter sink with a good sharp bit to ensure the gel-coat is removed from contact with any screw or bolt.