Five of the cleats were two-hole six were four-hole. The Foundation tested 11 six inch cleats made of nylon, aluminum, marinium (a magnesium-aluminum- titanium-beryllium alloy), chrome-plated zinc, bronze, stainless steel, and Zamac (a high-grade die-cast zinc alloy).
Our goal was to determine the direction and magnitude of the smallest force required to deform or break a cleat fixed to a rigid surface with mounting hardware specified by the manufacturer. Working in conjunction with the University of Virginia School of Engineering, we set up laboratory testing apparatus to simulate the loads placed on cleats of different design configurations and materials.
In this test, the BoatUS Foundation wanted to examine one of the most critical links in the system: cleats. You rely on that system to keep your boat secure, even in conditions like storms or towing that subject the system to tremendous stress and shock loads. The entire system consists of the cleat, the fasteners-including nuts, bolts and washers, the deck or other mounting platform, backing plates-and the line. Whether you're using a cleat for docking, mooring, towing a dinghy, or securing a halyard, it's important to think of the cleat as only a single part of an entire system (and not necessarily the most important part of the system). You've heard the expression, "only as strong as the weakest link." And so it is with cleats. Boat Owners Association of The United Statesįeet Don't Fail Me Now! Foundation Findings #16 - Circa 1990
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