Cleats Compatible with Aluminum

Cleats are used to secure any boat to a dock. They are critical in sailing to secure the ropes that raise and lower the sails to the halyard and to fasten the sheets of the raised sails to the gunwales. All common cleats are compatible with aluminum. The more important question is what type of load the cleat will be required to carry.

  1. Horn Cleats

    • The horn cleat is the most common type of cleat. It is bolted to the boat with two edges extending above the base like flat animal horns. You can secure ropes and lines by wrapping them around the base. The "horns" prevent the lines from slipping off the base. These types of all-purpose cleats are used to tie boats off to docks and to hold tension on anything that needs to be secured. In many small aluminum-hull boats, these type of cleats are installed on the boat at manufacture, but you can easily install extra cleats as needed.

    Cam Cleats

    • Cam cleats are often used on small sailing boats that have lines that need to be adjusted frequently. In a cam cleat, a line is run through the center of the cleat, which features a spring-mounted jaw that you can be open to allow the line to be adjusted and close to secure the line after it has been properly adjusted. These specialty cleats are compatible with aluminum-hulled boats. They can be useful in power and rowboats if you have to secure something to the side of the boat or pull behind it.

    Clam Cleats

    • Clam cleats are compatible with aluminum boats, but are most often used in sailboats. A clam cleat allows a line or rope to be pulled between two parallel surfaces, roughly similar to a clam shell. Unlike a cam cleat, you cannot adjust the rope both ways. It will only move in one direction. These cleats are most often used to secure taut tension on sailing lines.

    Cleat Composition

    • Cleats are made of various types of composite or galvanized metals. Most aluminum boats have aluminum cleats already built into them. Aluminum cleats are generally the least expensive type and are readily available in boating stores, marinas and hardware stores. Galvanized steel cleats are stronger and resist oxidation better than aluminum cleats. They are compatible with aluminum boats. Brass cleats are mainly used for their appearance on more expensive boats, but are also compatible with aluminum boats.