Replacing Cleats

[LDLoughridge]

Just bought a 2005 Nautic Star Bay 1800. It's in great shape except the Cleats are corroded beneath the chrome overlay. The problem... there are no visible bolt heads nor under the gunnel nut/bolt access. I would welcome any suggestion on how to replace them. Thanks.

 

[mr 88]

Sounds like they are screwed in if your looking directly under them and don't see any nuts . Have you tried un- screwing them yet or just figured there were bolts under the gunwale?

 

[Chris1956]

A lot of OEMs do use screws to attach cleats to the gunwale. They pull out at the wrong time.

 

[mr 88]

If they are screwed in or the nuts are completely inaccessible I would drill the head of the fastener off , remove cleat and use a punch and knock the remaining part through the gunwale and cover the holes or top of screw fastner that can't be punched through . Like a boarding step or a cleat with a base big enough to cover those holes after they are sealed . Odds are they are screwed in as mfg saves money and time , paying employee , by cutting corners like that .

 

[Scott Danforth]

Got a pic of the cleat. Some cleats have hardware thru the top with a scutcheon cover, most cleats have hardware from underneath.

Most cleats are added to the cap prior to the cap being foamed and installed

 

[Grub54891]

Some cleats have no hardware on top. If the bottoms are inaccessible, you need to remove seat backs or whatever you need to in the area, then if still no access, drill a hole with a holesaw big enough to get your wrench/hand in there. Then cover the hole with a deckplate when done. Been there done that. They install the hardware before setting the cap on the boat.