What to Look for When Choosing Dock Cleats

As you create your custom dock design, an important accessory to consider is dock cleats. If you plan to anchor watercraft of any kind to your dock, you’ll need a place to tie them. Cleats serve as a convenient anchoring point for your boat, kayak or other watercraft, but as with any decision, there are several things to keep in mind.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Dock Cleats

Dock cleats are essential dock accessories that do the hard work of securing your boat or watercraft to the dock. You want strong cleats that can withstand all of nature’s elements. It’s also important that your dock cleat be compatible with your boat’s size and dock line.

• Cleat style – There are a couple styles of dock cleats on the market. Two common ones are horn cleats and collapsible (or folding) cleats. A third style is the open cleat design. Horn cleats are the classic cleat style that can be found on most boats and docks. Horn cleats make it easy to loop and tie off the rope when you’re ready to pull into the dock for a break or call it quits for the evening. Collapsible cleats fold down easily and are essentially flat with the bracket when not in use. These low-profile cleats work well for smaller boats.

• Cleat size – In terms of sizing, you should factor in the size of your boat and the diameter of your dock line. A general rule of thumb is that your dock cleat should measure one inch for every 1/16th inch of rope diameter. For example, our 10” Zinc Cleat is equipped to secure larger boats with rope diameters greater than ½ inch thick.

• Cleat material – Material is another important consideration when choosing dock cleats. Because they are outdoors and exposed to the elements, you want a material that resists corrosion. Aluminum and zinc alloy are good choices for their durability and resistance to rust.

As you choose the type of cleat you want for your dock, also factor in the number and placement of cleats. You’ll want your cleats to be placed strategically to accommodate various docking scenarios.

To learn more about dock hardware, dock design and dock accessories, contact us at RDS Dock Hardware. We’ve been offering exceptional dock systems since 1986, and our hardware and accessories are built to withstand the toughest of marine conditions.