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I've finished repairing and painting my Aquarius A21 and have begun reinstalling the deck hardware. Here's a picture of the former location of the bow cleat and chocks
I'd like to move the chocks forward and on top of the toerails. Should I also move the cleat back to get a better angle from the line, although it will be more of an obstacle for the jib and our toes! Is there any formula for locating them on the bow? I'm replacing the cleat, but unsure of the correct length. I was thinking of 7" with a large backing plate.
If you can drill holes through the toe rail and access the other side to attach the washers and nuts then I like the new location better. It will work better at anchor and at mooring as you will have less chafing and a better lead angle to reduce swaying. Way too manyy boats have their chocks too far aft IMO and it leads to trouble, especially in a good blow. For use at the dock it really doesn't matter much, at least not as much. I don't see how moving the cleat improves anything. If the present location isn't in the way of anything I would leave it.
Dave Finnegan
builder of Spindrift 9N #521 'Wingë'
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Thanks for the info Dave. I can drill through the toe rails, so I will install the chocks there. I read somewhere that the line entering the cleat should be as close as possible to 15 degrees. That's why I was thinking of moving the cleat aft. Do the chocks take enough of the strain, so keeping the cleat near the bow and away from toes, etc is OK?
I'd certainly move the chocks forward. Bow chocks belong close to the stem.
If it were me, I'd remount the cleat a bit further aft too. I'd do it because experience tells me it's right and will work better, not because of a supposed optimal angle criterion--but they more or less amount to the same thing in the end, as it happens.
If you're worried about toe-stubbing, consider installing a pair of cleats closer to the rails, rather than a single one in the center. You can work out the leads you want based on the chock on the opposite side.
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Forum Founder--No Longer Participating
I have cleats both port and starboard as well as one on the centerline. The port and starboard cleats allow for a very fair lead to the chocks on the opposite side from the cleat if needed.
