Cleats

Cleats are indispensable for boat owners. These serve as important attachment points for ropes and lines and enable you to moor your boat safely, tie it up or operate the sails. Cleats are often solid metal or plastic parts that are attached to the deck or sides of the boat.

The function of cleats

Cleats usually have a curved shape with one or more bulges to hold the rope in place. These serve to ensure the tension and hold of the lines. This allows boaters to moor their boat safely, secure it from drifting away or trim the sails.

What types of cleats are there?

There are two different types of cleats:

• Fixed cleats: Fixed cleats are the most common cleats. These are permanently mounted on the deck or on the sides of the boat and therefore offer a stable and reliable fastening option for the lines.
• Mooring cleats: A mooring cleat is a special type of cleat used on boats and yachts for the temporary attachment of lines and ropes. In contrast to permanently mounted cleats, mooring cleats are not permanently attached to the boat, but act as a kind of temporary fixture.

What you should consider when buying cleats

• Size and load-bearing capacity: Make sure that the cleats have sufficient load-bearing capacity to cope with the load of the lines used.
• Mounting: Cleats can be available for either surface mounting or recessed installation. Therefore, you should consider the mounting options on the boat to select the appropriate cleats.
• Quality and durability: Look for high-quality cleats that are well made and have a long service life.

These materials are used for cleats

Cleats are mainly made from materials such as

• Stainless steel
• aluminium
• brass
• teak wood
• nylon