Installing Anchor rope cleat

[TDuff]

Hey all, I'm looking at installing a cleat on the bow of my Lund SSV14 and use it to secure the anchor line. Currently, there is an aluminum (looks like cast aluminum) plate at the corner of the bow. See photo below.



I'd like to bolt a cleat onto this plate and use it to tie off the anchor rope. Do you know if I can drill through this without it cracking? And will the aluminum stand up to both lake and river anchor use?

Thanks,
TDuff

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Installing Anchor rope cleat

That is cast aluminum alloy and I wouldn't do it, I'd fasten off to the winch eye instead... if you can reach it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Installing Anchor rope cleat

That is cast aluminum alloy and I wouldn't do it, I'd fasten off to the winch eye instead... if you can reach it.

Ayuh,... If ya can't reach it, tie a tagline from the anchor line, up to that handle, 'n just pull up the anchor line to yerself...

 

[TDuff]

Re: Installing Anchor rope cleat

Hmm. Kinda what I thought. Thanks jigngrub and Bondo.

Other than the winch eye which I think would be a bit difficult, one option would be to replace the current cast aluminum plate with a 1/4" thick aluminum checked plate and then install the cleat in that.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Installing Anchor rope cleat

You can drill that and it won't crack, lowers are cast and they get drilled all the time and that looks like a pretty good casting.

I wouldn't think twice about it myself.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Installing Anchor rope cleat

You can drill that and it won't crack, lowers are cast and they get drilled all the time and that looks like a pretty good casting.

I wouldn't think twice about it myself.

^^^ Agree, that casting will do just fine if you want to mount a cleat on it.

(Personally, I would find another spot as I wouldn't want to drill a bunch of holes in that plate for aesthetic reasons...)

 

[TDuff]

Re: Installing Anchor rope cleat

Thanks guys. Will try it out and see how it goes.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Installing Anchor rope cleat

I'd do it, too. Doesn't need to be big. If you're worried abuot the strength of the bow deck, just fashion a mounting plate underneath; could even be plywood. Cleats up there get cuaght under or bump against pier stringers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Installing Anchor rope cleat

I would put a cleat on each side rail myself, just aft of the plate.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Installing Anchor rope cleat

Ayuh,... If ya can't reach it, tie a tagline from the anchor line, up to that handle, 'n just pull up the anchor line to yerself...

My 2nd on Bond-O's plan exactly!....