We are commissioning our new 23D and I am used to and enjoy the safety a midship cleat. I am curious if others have added a pair and if so where and what kind? I am going to use the stanchion base for now but prefer something real. Looking at google I see that the cleats "should be inboard of the toe rails at the midpoint of the sailboat's length at the water line (LWL)." Hmm, ok I will see where that falls on the rail. I don't want to create something to stub my toe on too so I am considering a foldable cleat too.
Not sure if a midship cleat is necessary on a 23' boat. I cleat the bow line to the aft dock cleat and the stern line to the forward dock cleat for my 19. It works like a spring line. YMMV
Hi Dan
No familiarity with a 23, but on my Horizon Cat the previous owner had mounted one on the cabin top inboard of the grab rails. It should make for an easy installation. I haven't used it for docking (although I could), just re-purposed it for tying off my boom topping lift. It comes down the mast to a turning block and cabin top deck organizer then to the cleat.
Andre
PC & HC
When I had my 23 I just used he jib sheet winch as a "cleat" for the spring line.
Fred
We will set aside the cleat idea and try some of these first. Thanks!
Hi Dan, I like your 'signature'. I've used it for many yrs.
I had the factory install midship cleats on my 20ft Horizon Cat, see pic. One at the rail on both sides, one on the cabin top on stbd side. They set the ones at the rail in a gap in the 'rail cap' which keeps it from being a toe breaker.
A tiller !!!
I wish I had one !
Andre
Quote from: Al on May 03, 2024, 03:12:02 PMHi Dan, I like your 'signature'. I've used it for many yrs.
I had the factory install midship cleats on my 20ft Horizon Cat, see pic. One at the rail on both sides, one on the cabin top on stbd side. They set the ones at the rail in a gap in the 'rail cap' which keeps it from being a toe breaker.
Those cleats look like they were intended for that location. Its hard to find a similar placement on the 23. And I was looking for a Horizon Cat but everyone who has one tends to keep them!
I just purchased a new CP-23 with midship cleats already installed by Hutchins. I'm not sure how well you can see it in the photo, but it is located just aft of the aft lower shroud chainplate and fore of the first portlight.
Hope this helps.
I installed these on my jib tracks, all the way forward. Have been very pleased with them as as midship cleats. They were $70 less when I bought mine 3 years ago though! Even then they were pricey, now a little outrageous. https://defender.com/en_us/schaefer-stainless-steel-mid-rail-chock-cleat-6-1-2-long-70-74
Thanks DanF and Sealeggs, I've been using the base of the stanchion for now but I like both of these recent posts. I think I will add one or another when I get her out of the water.
Also does anyone else watch Miami boat ramp videos and yell at the screen for them to get a midship line when the bow or stern blows off the dock?