Mariner question, how to fix loose cleats...

[mariner36]

Note I had originally posted in atc, but thought I met get more specific, albeit fewer, answers here.

I have a 1985 Carver Mariner 36. At the end of last year we had some very rough days and nights on Lake Ontario. When we hauled the boat we noticed several of the cleat used to secure the boat in its slip felt a bit loose.

When you try and turn the screws holding the cleats, they just spin.

One Marina quoted a "couple hundred bucks", saying all they needed to do was overdrill the holes, fill with Marine-tex, and drill and tap for new screws.

Another said 600-800 to "rebed" the screws (their are 8 total crews holding on 4 cleats)

The third said "a couple thousand" to fashion aluminum backing plates for the cleats.

1) I don't really know much about these kind of repairs. I want a good repair, but don't know if spending thousands of dollars is needed to fix 8 screws.

2) Does anyone know whether it will be even possible to use backing plates? I have no idea how you would access the area under the cleats

3)how were these cleats mounted from Carver in the first palce, and is there a preferred way to make this repair?

I am hoping to have the repair done ASAP as We want to launch soon
As always, any assistance is appreciated!

 

[rnbenton]

All of the Carvers I've ever had anything to do with, including mine, has the cleats through bolted with a back plate.

To get to them on the inside you will have to remove trim molding and, in some cases, bulkhead covering (carpet). Mine all had compression nuts so it took two people to remove them, one outside with a screw driver to keep the bolt from turning and me, on the inside, to remove the nuts and back plate.

If you are thinnking of simply tightening them I would recommend against it. While you are in there remove them completely, clean everything and reseal them.

Bob

 

[BillyK]

You are going to need to get to the back of the cleats to check for any damage to the structure of your boat. Don't fool around with cleats. The reason your boat is safe after those rough times is they were installed properly.

You may need to make a hole in the fiberglass ( not the hull ) to see the damage if any. Remove the cleats and check the back plate to see if you can reuse it. Buy new stainless hardware and 5200 caulking. Reinstall the cleat.

Buy a screw in deck plate if necessary and stainless hardware.



Caulk the plate and install.

If you are going to hire someone to do this do not be fooled into thinking anything short of the existing back plate and new stainless hardware will be good enough

Billy K.

 

[mariner36]

Thank you both for the information!

I don't think I can cut the access port into the decking as on this model the deck is cored and quite thick.

I'll have to take a closer look inside the cabin to see if i can figure out where to access them.

It was very rough in early November on Lake Ontario last year, and I guess I got greedy trying to leave it in to the bitter end.

Thanks again.

 

[mariner36]

You can not pull the cleat out, it only "wiggles" when I pull,push on it.

The screws just spin if you try and tighten them.

They are the smaller midship cleats, ie the two sets in between the large front and back cleats.

Assuming i can get to the backside an tighten the cleats, what sort of rebedding would be required?

If anyone knows how to get to the middle set of cleats on a 1985 Mariner36, let me know.

 

[Unknown]

Sorry I've been away so long - lotta stuff going on at home and work lately... I use Life Calk to bed any deck hardware. Its an excellent sealant but can still be pulled apart. If more "adhesive-ness" (is that a word???) is required, you can try 3M 4200 but I would almost never use 5200 unless you REALLY want a permanent seal. 4200 at least gives you a chance to pull the thing apart again but you'll still make a mess...

 

[mariner36]

Ok, we have determined they are definately thru bolted with stainless backing plates.

I am going to let the marina take of the repair. They said all the time will be spent trying to find out how to access the plates from inside the boat.

I emailed carver and they were no help at all, claiming they have no diagrams, and no-one who knows how to access the backplates.

Has anyone done this repair before, or had an occasion to see these areas while working inside their boat.

Sorry for the poor typing, working from a phone.

 

[BillyK]

I have a 2001 356 motoryacht. I'm not sure how much alike these two boats are but if I had to get to my mid ship cleats I would have to go through the interior paneling. On the port side I have a pull out couch that has access panels already cut out behind it. On the starboard side I have closets and an entertainment center to go through. You may have to get creative.

Billy K.