cockpit panels

[QUOTA2]

Good Morning all, thinking of replacing my cockpit panels on my 28 question I have is how are the cleats attached at the transom?. Self tapping into wood support or thru bolted?...TY

[Yannis]

Hang in there, I’ll post some pics of my redo as soon as I find them. Note that the way the stock cleats were mounted were from flimsy to dangerous...

[QUOTA2]

Thank You appreciate it

[Yannis]

Quota2,

As you will see, I removed all side panels as they were completely useless to me. On the sides I created space for broom, flippers, speargun, hook stick etc.

All gunnels are supported by teak slats that are bonded onto aluminum T's.
The T's, approx. 5cm wide X 10cm tall, two behind each teak piece, are first glassed onto boat side or aft, then teak rear surface is slotted and then T inserted into wood and glued in. The whole assy is further glassed onto boat, with care so it doesn't show. As we could not adjust the top part of teak exactly under boat gunnel while simultaneously fitting it onto the T's, we left 2 cm of empty space (headroom) between teak top and gunnel. Then one or two smaller wood pieces were positioned flush under the gunnel, glued and bolted on teak sides, not on top, still invisible as they are under the lip. Teak pieces on the sides bear holes to fit longer objects.

The cleat angle of 45 deg. is necessary to ease tying and untying, so that the process of tying does not meddle with the vertical incoming part of the rope. Description of cleat mounting appears as photo title.

Good luck.



https://imgur.com/a/a3ZfpdN

[QUOTA2]

Thanks again, I was trying to figure out how to take the cleats off and don't know if they are screwed in with self tappers or bolted in do happen to remember?. I will probably reinstall them the way they come out.

[Yannis]

It’s been a long time now, but if I can recall correctly, you first unscrew the cleats that also help support the panel into place.
Behind there you should find some shitty pieces of plywood that the cleat bolts (or screws) tie onto. I cannot remember how those ply pieces are bonded onto the stern , but definitely the cleats do not tie or are bolted directly onto the stern.

[Tony Meola]

The cleats are lagged bolted in to a wood frame. Check the frame, you can beef it up. I know my cleats are pretty strong. From what I can see they are not going anyplace soon under normal situations. Just don't try and tow the Queen Mary.

[QUOTA2]

Thanks Tony ,going to Home Depot to check out FRB panels supposed to be a fiberglass and durable don't know if anyone has used them I heard Azek in the past.

[kross1]

I have an 83 and behind the wood blocks there is an aluminum plate with screw threads in it. The plate is thin so you have to whatch not to strip them. Ask me how I know!!
https://imgur.com/a/D4gf08B

[Tooeez]

On my 79 there are solid mahogany blocks glassed to the transom, and the cleats are screwed through the panels with large self-tapping screws--very sturdy. I replaced my panels with 1/4 starboard.

[bilgebum]

Hi i used versa board that patrick suggested and i love it it,'s in the cockpit for 5 or 6 years and still looks beautiful, it is light.,1/2 the price you can paint it, does not expand or shrink, doesn,t yellow cleans easily

[Yannis]

What Kross1 shows, is very similar to what I've made, albeit this cleat support is placed on the stern while mine is glassed at the corner. This version I've never seen before.
As I have also never seen the glassed mahogany blocks that Tooeez suggests.
Mine didn't have any of these two. So, if someone is to do it again, they can improvise like most of us (or someone before us) already did.

[QUOTA2]

Thanks for all the feedback, Bilgebum where did you buy the Versa Board?.

[Tony Meola]

I have an 83 and behind the wood blocks there is an aluminum plate with screw threads in it. The plate is thin so you have to whatch not to strip them. Ask me how I know!!
https://imgur.com/a/D4gf08B

That aluminum plate is not original. If I was putting a plate behind it I would of gone with stainless and I think you need at least 3/8" to get a good thread bite. Personally if I went with Stainless, I would have it threaded but would also think about having trying ot have a nut welded to it for extra security.

[QUOTA2]

Not having much luck with finding a replacement board for the cockpit panels in NJ, what thickness have you guys used ?. Every option I looked at has been to thick.

[Joseph Fikentscher]

I used AZEK sheet. I think 1/4 inch., Maybe 3/8. About $90/sheet 4x8.

[QUOTA2]

Joe, where were you able to order the Azek?. I tried Home Depot.

[Joseph Fikentscher]

I used Jaeger Lumber in Belmar, NJ.

[Tony Meola]

Not having much luck with finding a replacement board for the cockpit panels in NJ, what thickness have you guys used ?. Every option I looked at has been to thick.

Dockside Lumber in Barnegat can order you a 4x10 ft sheet of 3/8 AZEK or one of their competitors. They have the 4x8 in stock.

https://docksidemarinesupply.com/

No matter which manufacturer you purchase, the thinnest you can get is 3/8. I have also seen 4x8 AZEK in 3/8 in Home Depot.

[Yannis]

Quota2,

As you will see, I removed all side panels as they were completely useless to me. On the sides I created space for broom, flippers, speargun, hook stick etc.

All gunnels are supported by teak slats that are bonded onto aluminum T's.
The T's, approx. 5cm wide X 10cm tall, two behind each teak piece, are first glassed onto boat side or aft, then teak rear surface is slotted and then T inserted into wood and glued in. The whole assy is further glassed onto boat, with care so it doesn't show. As we could not adjust the top part of teak exactly under boat gunnel while simultaneously fitting it onto the T's, we left 2 cm of empty space (headroom) between teak top and gunnel. Then one or two smaller wood pieces were positioned flush under the gunnel, glued and bolted on teak sides, not on top, still invisible as they are under the lip. Teak pieces on the sides bear holes to fit longer objects.

The cleat angle of 45 deg. is necessary to ease tying and untying, so that the process of tying does not meddle with the vertical incoming part of the rope. Description of cleat mounting appears as photo title.

Good luck.



https://imgur.com/a/a3ZfpdN