190 Montauk: Adding Cleats

[Tacky79]

I didn't like securing our 2017 190 Montauk to the dock using only the bow and stern cleats. I have seen other 190 Montauk boats with cleats added forward. I contacted Sue Lodel at Beacon Marine, and she happens to have the same boat, and added cleats to her boat. I ordered the cleats and hardware from Beacon Marine, and I finally got the courage to drill into my boat this weekend.

Sue was a great help, as she sent pictures of the exact mounting location showing the cleat with a ruler in the picture! Big thanks, Sue!

Quick summary:

1 - buy cleats and hardware. Screws are stainless 1/4-inch, 20 pitch
2 - locate correct location so you are securing to the Whaleboard area - in my case, about 6.25-inch behind non-skid area of deck
3 - mark four holes for cleat
4 - drill pilot hole with small bit
5 - use #7 drill bit for the tap to the correct depth
6 - tap with 1/4-20 tap
7 - use 3M 4000 UV sealant and attach cleat

Picture:

Here is a picture of me holding Sue's pictures to locate the cleat in the correct position:



[Nota bene: there were three links to images that did not produce any images, and the links were deleted.--jimh]

[Jaybird77]

Nice job! I understand the angst involved in drilling that first hole. I added aft cleats to my 2003 170 this past winter and found BW's Chuck Bennett a great source. I'm so glad BW planned ahead and added the backing material (although I wonder why they never added them to begin with). Your process/application sounds identical to mine. My biggest concern was drilling a straight (plumb) hole and I found a useful tool on Amazon (Big Gator Tools STD1000DGNP V-Drill Guide). The gunwale on the 170 is not wide enough to use a conventional drill guide, and this one was perfect to use in that limited space.

[Phil T]

Remember when drilling you need to bevel the top edges to prevent radiating gelcoat cracks. The hole should look like a Y

Remember to add a dab of sealant (not adhesive) to the underside of the head and the threads to seal the hole.