Adding cleats to 99' 2100i

[RzrbackAV]

So as I'm enjoying the hell out of my new/old Tige' I realized how badly this thing needs a couple real cleats. Anyone out there added cleats to their boat or have any recommendations for doing it? It doesn't seem especially hard as long as you reinforce it right. Thanks in advance.

CP

[freeheel4life]

I've added a few cleats to boats. I prefer a pop out cleat so that ropes can't snag on it during towing/turn arounds. The main thing that people seem to do that is pointless to me is add a cleat way forward. Cleats forward of the widest point of the beam are good for dock lines but when you put a bumper on them the bumper never has a chance to work as its inside of the boats widest point(maybe with a BaBz a bow cleat will provide protection from the dock)
Look at adding a rear cleat and a midship cleat. Unless you marina store a cleat up at the bow is pointless IMO.
Once you pick a cleat and location it's a matter of reverse drilling gel coat so you dont chip it or crack it. For cleats I just make sure the hole is upsized so threads dont grab at the gel.on the way in. If you drill it tight countersink the gel a little bit.
Obviously pick locations that you can access from the gunnels inside the boat as well so you van tighten them up.
In some cases where access is terrible for clear or a tower install if just added a pair of speakers. The hole is used to access the tower or cleat hardware and you pop in the speakers when you are done. Win win

[NICKYPOO]

^^^Just a ton of good advice right there.

You mentioned replacing your tower. When I replaced my tower, they did a side mount for the rear legs and it left open holes on the gunwale for me to fill. I bought a set of Attwood Neat Cleats for those spots and they dropped in perfectly by just opening the tower mount holes. There is already access cut in behind the upholstery. They have operated flawlessly since day one. It does take the correct tools to get them tight though.

http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/product/neat-cleat

[Jetdriver]

Freeheel nailed it. Midship and rear retractable cleats are what I’d do.
I see lots of people (myself included) use their tower mounts as tie offs and to hang bumpers because most boats this size don’t have a cleat midship. I’ve thought about adding another set but have a pretty good system working for me as is.

[NICKYPOO]

Here ya go.