Cleat on the spinnaker track? yes or no

[jlcarreiro]

I don't have a mid cleat on my 28 Sabre. Good or bad idea to put one of those track cleats for spring line while docked?
TIA

[dfelsent]

I am of two minds about this.
I thought about doing just that on a 30 footer I owned, but did not.
My assumption has always been that a cleat without a fairlead is trouble. Especially so on a track on top of the toe rail. The leverage from a strong pull to the side could break things.
I was also concerned about chafe from the track.
Cleats are primarily meant to take loads lengthwise, not from the side.
If you are disciplined enough to only use fore and aft springs from the midship cleat that might work well for you.
Having a midship cleat for springs while docking is a wonderful thing. It opens up new worlds of control.

[sanibel sailor]

I needed a midship cleat. No other good place. Inboard without a chock is no good. On-track sliding cleat was acceptable alternative. Longitudinal stress rather than direct athwartship seemed OK to me. The sail pulls on that track pretty hard. My track is 1-1/4".



When I replaced my toerail, I sized it to allow use of a Spartan bronze combo cleat/chock. I like it better.


still have track cleat for fenders