Handy pop-up mini cleat made of mirror polished AISI 316 stainless steel. This pop-up cleat is also sometimes known as a safety cleat, retractable cleat, flush mounted cleat, push down cleat or pull-up cleat as it can be retracted into the deck when not in use. As well as looking neater it has obvious safety benefits, as it reduces the risk of tripping when on deck.
Simply pull up the top of the cleat when needed; secure your lines as normal and then push it back down flush when not in use. To install the cleat on your deck you will need to locate the under post into the deck and then it simply screws down. The fixings are hidden under the movable top bar and so are very discrete.
What size cleat do I need?
The size of cleat you should use depends on the size of line you use; and in turn the size of line you use depends on the size of your boat. As a general guide you can use the following equation to calculate the approximate size of cleat that you should be using:
Cleat length from end to end should be 1″ for every 1/16″ of line diameter; and dock lines should be 1/8″ of diameter for every 9 feet of boat length.
This will give you a good idea of what size cleat to use as a minimum; but remember bigger is often better and you may want to use the same cleat for more than one line at certain times, so be sure to give yourself enough capacity to be flexible. This model is available in two sizes: 89mm (3 1/2″) and 134mm (5 1/4″). This compact cleat is ideal for small boats and dinghies.
Cleats should be positioned at regular intervals along the port and starboard sides of your boat. As a basic guide you should have at least a minimum of three on each side (at the stern, bow and amidships), and again the more you can reasonably accommodate the easier you will make your sailing experience.