Pop-Up Cleat Installation

[RedDog]

Pop-Up Cleat Installation – Part I

My bow has 1 pop-up cleat
http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup1.jpg http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup2.jpg
and there were 4 standard cleats along the deck sides.
http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup3.jpg. I wanted to eliminate the toe-stumping standard cleats.

I was able to find 4 new pop-up cleats direct from Accon Marine (http://www.acconmarine.com) for ½ of retail – they had a special running at the time.
http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup4.jpg

I used the cleat backing plate as a template to cut the necessary notch to recess the pop-up cleat. I positioned the backing plate template so that 2 of the existing cleat holes could be reused. Lay down some duct tape and draw the pattern on top. The tape will help prevent spalling of the gel coat surface when the drill holes and cuts are made (pictures don't show the use of the tape). I drilled a few holes in the cut-out area and then made the full shape cut using a fine tooth jig saw. A little final shaping and fitting was accomplished using a rotary grinding bit chucked into my cordless drill. The new pop-up cleat hole pattern was not the same as the original so I filled 2 of the existing mounting screw holes with MarineTex, drilled the 2 new holes, and coated the cut-out area with resin. For additional protection from water intrusion to the deck core, I filled each screw hole with 3M 4000 adhesive caulk and spread a bead around the cut-out area.
http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup5.jpg http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup6.jpg http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup7.jpg http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup8.jpg

See Part II

[RedDog]

Pop-Up Cleat Installation - Part II

The final installation is smooth and the recessed cleats provide a much smoother look than the standard raised cleats. Now only 3 more to go!
http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup9.jpg http://www.donzi.net/photos/popup10.jpg

[Ed Donnelly]

Did you get the plastic catch basins for the water run off? ...Ed

[RedDog]

Ed Donnelly:
Did you get the plastic catch basins for the water run off? ...Ed No - I have never seen them in use but I had some concerns with them. Seems that collected water could just collect and stagnate in the plastic basin. The positioning I used will allow any water to drip straight to the bilge so it doesn't seem to be a concern.

On second thought - maybe I need a confirmation from some 22 Classic owners. Based on the location in the pictures, will water drainage hit the bilge, or will it be trapped on the outer side of the stringer? I assumed there was a drainage path? Easy enough to retrofit the plastic basin if needed.

[oldLenny]

Dawg, the plastic cup has a hole in it at the bottom and a "fitting" to allow for the connection of a wiper hose or similar and you can direct that anywhere you wish...

[RickR]

Looks good!
The cleats next the windshield will drain onto the foam and stringers. If you climb up into the bow you can see where the water will end up.

I have 2 to mount at the stern. when you get done with yours come on over :D

[RedDog]

Thanks Rick - looks like the cups are needed. I just ordered 4 from CP Performance at $6.75 each - a couple of bucks less than other places I looked - http://www.cpperformance.com/detail.asp?product_id=680-202-4C

[rustnrot]

I sell these for $20 a piece. No drain to worry about, all o-ringed, non leak. Not real big in size, more for fenders. If you get them in just the right place you can turn them to allow you to get a screwdriver on the mounting screws to screw them in. Buying 4 gets free shipping. http://www.donzi.net/photos/mp-popcleats2.jpg

<small>[ December 02, 2003, 09:07 PM: Message edited by: MadPoodle ]</small>

[Tomahawk]

Thanks Tim - how timely for me. I have one of my toe stubbers (kevlar swimsuit hooks)removed and on my desk right now. Just wondering if the Accon slim line pull-up cleat is wide enough to cover the holes from the original cleats - like yours. It's a close call. Thanks for the explanation and photos of your project.

[RedDog]

Tomahawk - Eddie Marine (http://www.eddiemarine.com/) and Dana Marine have bezels for the slimline that will give a little more coverage.

[Greg Maier]

RedDog,

I want to perform the same upgrade on my 22. My one question is: How do you install the backing plate if you can't get your hand in there? The bow and stern cleats wouldn't be a problem, but I don't think there is any way to get behind the cleats mounted next to the cockpit.

[RedDog]

Greg Maier
... How do you install the backing plate if you can't get your hand in there? ... I don't think there is any way to get behind the cleats mounted next to the cockpit. With the front seat removed and laying on my back, I could reach up to where the screws came through. Mine is installed near, but behind, the front of the windshield so there is plenty of room to reach. If you tried to mount it further back alongside the cockpit itself I would see that as being a problem.

[Barry Phillips]

I retro fitted Accon Slim Lines on my 22, I was little concerned about the long term durability of the spring loaded pop-up mechanism. The Slim Lines installed just about the same way except they are post mounted with no visible attaching hardware topside. They could not be simpler to use and look great with the 22's lines. One tip though, if you are replaceing the standard 6" stern cleats you well need a set of bezels to hide the old screw holes. The Slimlines have a very narrow base. Weather Popup or Slim Line they look much better than using a surface cleat mounted up by the windshield. I'm thinking of intalling flush fender pins like the ones used on the ZX.

SO-SLO

[Tomahawk]

Thanks for that info Barry. That's exactly what I need to know as I'm thinking the same as you. Guy at Eddie Marine told me they even have teal bezels!