Topic: Mid-Ship Cleats
Good day!
I was thinking about installing cleats amidships on my Contessa. The customary way is to use a chock on the rail and then a cleat inboard on the deck. However, with the Contessa being so low in the water it seems to me that the line would never stay in the chock.
Any thoughts on this?
The solution I am considering is to fit a teak block hard up against the toerail amidship. Then remove a few inches at the end of the traveller track. Two of the feet of the cleat will then sit where the traveller used to be and the other two feet will sit on the teak block and be through-bolted to the deck (I hope I have some long bolts!).
Securing to a cleat in this position eliminates the need for the chocks and gives a clear lines of pull (that is, little chance of mooring lines fouling shrouds or lifeline stanchions.) This solution also helps to keep an already narrow deck relatively clear of obstacles.
My concern is that, with the cleat mounted relatively high, I will be constantly fouling the jib sheets.
I am looking for feedback and to tread in the footsteps of those brave souls here whom have gone before me...
Thanks in advance.
Christopher