Skier cleat on a 2355-gctid388658

[Guest]

Has anyone put a cleat on a 2355? I want to pull the kids on their tubes but I'm not sure if the back fiberglass is strong enough to hold even with extra backing. Access would be easy from the fold down back seat but I'd hate to damage that section.

[Jeffw]

I haven't installed one on a 2355, but on other models. I think you'll find the transom thickness to be more than adequate, after all, they hang the outdrive on it. You should have trailer tie-down eyes under the swimstep, remove one and measure. I really think it would be fine, and a backing plate won't hurt either...

[Guest]

I agree with Jeff, you should be fine. Put a backing plate behind it and enjoy.

[Guest]

tank1023 wrote:
Has anyone put a cleat on a 2355? I want to pull the kids on their tubes but I'm not sure if the back fiberglass is strong enough to hold even with extra backing. Access would be easy from the fold down back seat but I'd hate to damage that section.

Yes I have done it to my 2355.

I might have used some overkill as I put in a steel backing (only because I had it laying around the garage). Any type backing would work.

Bob

[Guest]

I installed a ski tow eye on my 2455 and used it to tow skiers and tubers for years with no trouble. If your 2355 is at all similar to mine, there is plenty of room for a nice big backing plate. I used a 12"x12" piece of plywood and never had any problems. Be sure to check the nuts after the first few uses as they will tend to loosen until everything settles in.

[Guest]

Ok, great. My only worry was the thickness of the Fiberglas because of where I wanted to place it. Thanks for the replies.

[Guest]

I have used a bridle or harness that clips to the trailer tie downs. No need to drill or add when they are already there.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=994418&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=51101&subdeptNum=51115&classNum=51116

[Guest]

I looked at those but I thought they sit too low in the water. I was thinking about a similar one that would hook to my cleats on either side of the boat. They make them long for pontoon boats.

[MidnightSun]

Did the tow eye thing on my previous 2355. I also added a backing plate just to be safe as it was mounted higher up in a thinner area of fiberglass. Have one on back of Midnight Sun also but this one is lower down so it is actually in the thick portion of the transom. I tow my 800 lb wave runner with it at cruise speed or 30mph+ if you prefer, no backing plate needed.

Can be seen here. http://gallery.me.com/midnightsun3/1...12813537780001

[Guest]

tank1023 wrote:
I looked at those but I thought they sit too low in the water. I was thinking about a similar one that would hook to my cleats on either side of the boat. They make them long for pontoon boats.

I'm not sure that I would ever try to tow from cleats, they're not backed with much compared to a properly installed ski tow eye or transom tie-down u-bolt.

[Guest]

jhenkel wrote:
I'm not sure that I would ever try to tow from cleats, they're not backed with much compared to a properly installed ski tow eye or transom tie-down u-bolt.

I have towed with a bridle from the cleats on my old boat for years. You can get a good bridle that splits the tow load over the two cleats.

I do prefer the single point tow now on my 185 so if you had the chance the single point is far easier to use.

The next step is to get a tower and tow from that.