Backing front central cleat?

[frng_dwlr]

Had the USCGA Safety Inspection today. and was asked if the front central cleat on my Cruiser was backed. Crawled inside the bow to see the the bow roller had a pieced of lumber backing it, but not the central cleat. Easy as adding a piece of lumber inside?[/img]

[colbysmith]

I would have asked the auxiliarist where that was on the inspection list! It may make sense to have a backing plate, but that's a build issue, and not a safety issue on their check list. That being said, depending upon your deck thickness, just some large fender washers may suffice. Colby

[thataway]

Fender washers work, but also consider an aluminum backing plate. Aluminum is easy to drill. Wood does not offer the same protection that either fender washers or a plate will give.

[frng_dwlr]

Any source for sturdy aluminum back for central cleat?

[thataway]

I go to local metal dealer. In Long Beach CA. There was one near Terminal Island. Here in Pensacola, we have a scrap dealer and he always has some "scarps" which he will sell by the pound. If not there, machine shops will have a resource.

[ssobol]