First day back in the boat it's been about a month! Didn't really do much today! I bought my boat mid summer so wasn't much time to explore her just used her! As I look through the boat learning new thing about her I am amazed at every turn of the quality and workmanship that went into these old flat glass girls!!! Usually the only thing I find that is sub par quality are things that happened between 1984 and now!!!! CUDOS TO THE EMPLOYEES AT FORMULA!!!! I am definitely a proud owner!!!

Headed to LOTO April 18th through 22nd and I have lots to do yet! Ive got upholstery work that I had repaired down there that sucked that needs to be fixed we will see if they make it right!! Thats why i am headed down so early!! I need to install new Hummingbird depthfinder and GPS shooting thru hull anyone have any helpful hints? First oil change and fuel filter change and spring start up on this boat!!! It's my 4th boat but I have never been on a site like this and it's always nice to learn new helpful hints!!! Thanks
ITS FINALLY SPRING!!!!!!

I am looking to put an extra cleat midway up the port and starboard side of the bow is there anything under the fiberglass that will hold a cleat without pulling down the headliner? I added 2 in the back about 2' in front of the back cleat and I had to add wood under that area!!
I don't want people hooking the fenders to the grabrail in the back! And no cleats between midway up the boat and the front cleat!

I'm sure a couple of you guys have had that torn apart!!!

I will try to look in mine tomorrow, but I do not think there is anything in there other than an 1/8" of padding and the headliner. Might be able to come up with a special bolt that may work. Do you remember what size bolt was used in the rear cleats?

Brian

The bolts are 1/4"

I was pretty sure you would be able to help with you having a trailer up restoration!!!! Thanks for looking Brian

Verdict is your screwed......

OK, take a look at the first picture. This is the front window in the Vberth section. You have the curtain holder in yours and that is about it. The deck is probably 1/4" (maybe thicker) solid glass there. Nothing but foam and headliner under it.

My thought was to use a barrel nut from the underside. (see 2nd picture which is from McMastercarr.com) Use the barrel nut with a 1/4" flathead from the top side. You still could make something custom if you have a lathe. Larger diameter with a dome shape to it so it just presses up into the headliner, would look finished. But my fear is adding a cleat there without proper backing material is asking for trouble. If you do not reinforce it, someone will eventually tie the boat up with it and it could then rip out of the deck.

Why not use the grab rails for the fenders? Have you seen these little nifty clips? They pop right on, hold securely enough that they are not falling off yet will pop if pulled on before the railing breaks.

But you have given me an idea on mine. Since it is apart I might just add a pop up cleat there.

Sorry I didn't have better news.

Brian

The fenders on the grab rail will eventually bend it I have cleats now for 2 fenders it's just a little difficult to get to that front cleat when docking several times a day so I just leave a line tied to it and run it back to the middle of the boat!! If you don't dock much it's no problem!!!

I would add one while you have your cuddy apart!!