Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Our new South Bay will be delivered soon and getting my dock ready. Is there a right or wrong way to determine where dock cleats should be mounted in relation to the cleats on the boat? Private wood dock; no slip, will make fast on one side only, freshwater lake, water level controlled by power company and rarely varies more than a foot, quiet bay with little boat traffic but occasionally can get rough when the south wind really kicks up.

I looked at neighbors docks and they're all over the place, some dock cleats even with boat cleats, some inside, some outside. Google wasn't much help but I knew you guys would be!

My best guess ..

I'd use 3 cleats on the dock. The end two, maybe a foot or so inside your bow and stern cleats, with the 3rd dock cleat in the center for spring lines against that south wind.

Guessing you do not have pilings to tie off to. If you did, I'd mount cleats to the pilings with lag bolts so you would not kick them with a barefoot. If you ever tie off to a piling be sure to make a full wrap around the post before cleating or tying off.

If it's yours, I'd also fix permanent fenders to the dock.

Just make sure they aren't a trip hazard. I don't think there's a rule to follow on cleat placement. One website mentioned to have the cleats placed at an angle rather than straight off from the boat's cleat.

I have seen - many times - people do not know how to make a "half-hitch."

https://captnmike.com/2011/02/27/is-this-your-cleat/

Cleats on the dock are toe busters. I don't use them. I tie to the uprights for the roof. If no roof, get carabiners and tie to the bars under the floor.
My 2 cents...

I have a 10 x 10 floating dock at my house. I don't use cleats. I use mooring rings mounted on each corner of the floater and short, dedicated lines with a snap hooks on each end. These lines stay on the dock. When we come in, just takes a second to snap them onto u-bolts mounted on the side of the trim running down the side of the pontoon. (I did have to add these u-bolts to the pontoon. Use only stainless steel.)

When we had our slip, I had them placed about a foot above the dock, on the uprights. (actually used a blemmed set of old EzFenders). I just left my lines in them all the time, since it was only our boat in the slip.

At the Marina we use at the Lake we tied to the posts that support the roof with spring lines on each side of slip and bow lines that hold boat in center of slip. A double line around a post tied to cleat on boat is my preferred method. Cleats on deck of dock will hold boat well if properly attached but do create "toe stubbers". D rings on pots or pilings would be a good route.

Thanks y'all. I appreciate the tips.