Installing boat cleats

[gonefishin]

Hi Everyone,

I did a search before posting but couldn't find the answer. I want to install cleats on my aluminum boats. I went to Canadian Tire and they had aluminum, galvanized and chrome cleats. I thought that chrome would eventually rust and so I was thinking about buying the aluminum cleats (6 inch cleats for $6.99 ea). My question is about the fasteners. I read on this site about being careful using stainless steel screws to fasten anything to an aluminum boat (disimilar metals). What should I be using?. I was going to buy the #14 X 1 1/2 screws and add some marine silicone to the threads to prevent water from getting past the screws.

Any thoughts on type of fasteners and lenghts would be appreciated. Unfortunately Canadian tire does not sell the cleats and fasteners as a package.

Thanks

[gonefishin]

Anyone?...

[Bass Addict]

What do you mean by cleats?????????????


Maybe i could help you then..

[Wallyboss]

I use Stainless steel hardware for most of the fastening on my boat.

[gonefishin]

What do you mean by cleats?????????????


Maybe i could help you then..

Sorry Bass Addict...I am new to boats. The cleats are the things that will allow me to secure the boat to the dock. What do you call them?.

[gonefishin]

I use Stainless steel hardware for most of the fastening on my boat.

Thanks Wallyboss. Would you recommend adding some marine grade silicone to the bottom of the cleat and the threads of the fasteners?.

Thanks again

[orrsey]

If you use stainless it shouldnt rust, I would just use a lock nut or a lock washer and it should work.
orrsey

[gonefishin]

If you use stainless it shouldnt rust, I would just use a lock nut or a lock washer and it should work.
orrsey

Thanks orrsey!!!

[Haybay Larry]

Don't forget some loctite on the screw threads, that way you won't need the lock washers. It will look better as well.
...Larry

[gonefishin]

I always use a little blue loctite on everything..just to be sure.

Thanks

[gkehoe]

I installed two cleats amidships on my new Princecraft 17'6" F&P after much research and gnashing of teeth.
Princecraft told me it would be ok for simple mooring but not to pull tubers from these side locations and normally they recommended a backing plate on the inside of the hull. I purchased OEM cleats from them and the stainless steel pop rivets. Could not install a backing plate without tearing out much foam insulationwhich I decided not to do.

Happy to report all worked out very well. Cleats work well for bumpers and moring lines and I do not pull heavy loads on them. I did seal the tops of the rivets with sealer.

Easy job once you get over the anixety of drilling holes in a new boat!

[gonefishin]

Yeah, I was a bit worried abour drilling holes in a new boat.