DaySailer.org Forum

The end of the boom has a horn cleat on it. Had, I should say, because I managed to break off a horn.

I use it to attach my reef line. I tie a loop that just fits over the cleat, so it holds securely, but can be taken off without doing any knots.

Now, the holes tjat are drilled for it are .75" center to center. I would like to replace the cleat without drilling more holes.

I've looked around a bit, not fully conclusively, but it seems most cleats offered have holes spaced 1" center to center; does anyone know of one that is smaller?

Also, any other suggestions? Should I consider alternatives like just fitting an eye strap?

It seems like a strap eye could work well. If your reefing line is the right size compared to the eye you could just feed the line through and make an S stopper knot that would be easy to untie.

I have some O'O'Day horn cleats I got from Stuart Marine (60's - 70's vintage). I might have that one, I can check.

John

Would a clamcleat work, with or without fairlead?

At this point, I'm not cleating anything at that location, so a strap would work, in principle. In practice, I think I prefer to just "restore" it like-for-like, if I can find the part. What was there "worked" well enough for the purpose, and if John can locate a replacement cleat for me, I'd love to just screw it right back in place - my question about alternatives is really based on the fact that available modern parts all seem to be on 1" centers (if they are even the right size, I think most of what's available online is 4", what I had was 3.25").

If I can't get a replacement, then the head scratching will start in earnest.

I checked the cleat I have. 4" long, 1" hole space. Stuart Marine may have the correct one in their used parts. When they refurbish a Mariner or Rhodes 19, they sell the old parts. The Mariner and Rhodes 19 booms are identical to the DS boom.

John

OK, thanks for checking. I'll try Stuart.