Different type of cleats

[Bottom Line]

Has anyone else noticed the different types of cleats that Sea Ray uses, at least on the sport cruisers? Some are bolted completely through the fiberglass, while others are appear to be attached with screws from the top. The ones that go through the fiberglass appear to be more "heavy duty."
Does anyone know why the different ones are used or do they just use what is available?

Cleat on my 2002 300DA...

Cleat on a 2004(?) 340DA

 

[quality time]

They are both thru bolted. I assumed it had to do with the production years, never gave it much thought.

 

[First Born]

What is weird is the 2002 looks more like the current cleats than the 2004 :huh: I would guess that second one is actually older like late 90's?

 

[Sublimetime]

How bout this, My buddy and I both own 1989 390 ec's. My boat has the same cleats as the 2004 shown above(made of polished stainless). While my buddy's boat has cleats that are the exact same shape but are made ou of aluminum. Everything else is identical on the boats other than color of striping.

 

[Bottom Line]

They are both thru bolted. I assumed it had to do with the production years, never gave it much thought.

Maybe that is true....I hadn't thought of that, since you can see the screw heads from the top.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

I just replaced my spring cleats (like the last photo) with fold ups so I don't trip or stub my big toe anymore. The cleats are bolted through the deck and have locking castle nuts and fender washers keeping them secure:

 

[Bridog]

I think in 2004 they used those "cheaper looking" cleats. I had those on my 04 260DA. Later they went back to the ones with the SR logo's. Those look much nicer.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

They look nice, but they don't look very strong. Do you think they will hold up to several hours of the boat being tossed around in the slip during a storm? Hopefully they are tougher than they look, as the stubbed toe factor is important. My toes point to all compass headings after a life of boating. (You would think after all these years I would learn)

The new cleats are 316 stainless... and thicker than the ones they are replacing. Footprint of old cleat was about 3" and new cleat is 6".

New cleat: All stainless two 5/8's bolt throughs with fender washers verses the 1/4 bolt throughs with small washers these replaced.

Keep in mind, these new cleats are for the spring lines...

 

[Stray Cat]

I know someone that had the cleat like the bottom one, slipped on his swim platform, fell and caught his arm on the top horn of the cleat. The point went into his arm about 3 inches and he hung on the back of the boat by the meat of his arm....still gives me the ebee-geebees just thinking about it.

 

[Bridog]

I know someone that had the cleat like the bottom one, slipped on his swim platform, fell and caught his arm on the top horn of the cleat. The point went into his arm about 3 inches and he hung on the back of the boat by the meat of his arm....still gives me the ebee-geebees just thinking about it.

At least he didn't get wet!