Boat Outfitters

Welcome to Boat Outfitters – the only source you need for marine hardware and boating accessories. Whether you’re a boat enthusiast looking to customize, repair, or upgrade your vessel, our selection of top-of-the-line products is sure to suit your needs.

We offer an extensive variety of high-quality stainless steel boat and dock cleats that are perfect for any replacement or upgrade. Find our factory direct prices unbeatable when it comes to supplies like pop-up, folding, lock, and pull-up cleats. Trust us for all your marine hardware: with the best selection on the market, you don’t have to compromise quality for price.

No matter what kind of boat you own or what your project entails, Boat Outfitters is here to help make it possible. With extensive resources highlighting technical drawings, color charts, hardware instructions and installation videos and tutorials at your fingertips, we provide support every step of the way through. We’re passionate about boats – let us guide you into finding the right parts and accessories so you can have peace of mind while out tackling the waves or harboring away until your next journey. Stop by today; we guarantee satisfaction!

When it comes to hard-to-find marine hardware and boating accessories, Boat Outfitters is the number one choice. From storage systems to general boating accessories, you'll find everything you need here. Now you can customize, repair, or update your boat easier than ever! We offer OEM replacement and upgraded stainless steel boat and dock cleats that are of high quality and factory direct prices, allowing you to not only get what you need but also save big. Your options range from pop-up, folding, lock, and pull-up cleats for various needs. Make sure your boat is secure with Boat Outfitters' cleats today!

You need to be aware that there are a number of cleats produced from different materials available on the market when trying to pick the gear for docking your boat. Each having unique benefits and drawbacks of their own.

Cleats Made of Stainless Steel

The strongest, most reliable, and safest boat cleats are made of stainless steel. They are one of the most common dock additions since they are very hard to break and won't rust or corrode.

Galvanized/Aluminum Metal Cleats

Cleats made of aluminum and galvanized metal are not nearly as glossy or polished as those made of stainless steel. However, if you don't care about them winning prizes for the prettiest cleats, these are excellent alternatives that are still very dependable and much less expensive.

Nylon Cleats

Nylon cleats may be an excellent option if you are new to boating or just don't have a large enough budget to support the purchase of metal cleats. They might not feel or look as good as metal cleats, but they still work well and are quite dependable.

You might not be aware that there are several different cleat styles to pick from if you are unfamiliar with boat and dock cleats or if you have only ever used one specific type. Therefore, we have highlighted the most often used cleats below. Before you decide to get the same thing you usually have or if you are unsure which you should buy in the first place.

Traditional Boat Cleats

You will see more of this type of cleat than any other. They are sturdy, do not fold or stow, and remain in place. This design may be found on most docks. They are much-liked because they have a straightforward design, are simple to use, are inexpensive, and work well.

Pull-up Boat Cleats

The pull-up kind of dock cleat is one specific design that is rising in popularity each year. This technique avoids snagging and is strong, sturdy, and neat. In comparison to the more common alternative, pull-up cleats are a little more costly and need a different installation method.

Pop-up Boat Cleats

In terms of advantages and uses, pop-up cleats are fairly similar to pull-up cleats. When not in use, they remain out of the way yet are always prepared for use. A pop-up cleat is spring-loaded and has a special trigger that "pops" it out of the deck or dock, which is the fundamental difference between them.

To hold the cleats in place, first you must cut a hole that is the same form as the mounting base, then you must reach from below and attach the nuts to the bolts. It produces a more secure and stable solution, but it might be difficult for the typical boater to finish on their own. If you're worried, a marine technician in your area should be able to assist with the installation.

Flip-Up Cleats

Pull-up cleats and folding or flip-up cleats are quite similar in many aspects. The fantastic thing about them is that they don't get in the way and won't lead to accidents or injuries when they're not needed. They are significantly more affordable than pull-up cleats and do not require a particularly labor-intensive installation process, which gives them another distinct advantage.

Fender Cleats

One of the more well-liked boat equipment is fender cleats. They include an easy quick-release that makes it simple to retrieve and deploy boat bumpers, and they may be put in a short space. These cleats are ideal for retaining boat bumpers but should not be used for anchoring. They are also known as boat bumper cleats for this reason.

Rod Holder Cleats

Rod holders and cleats are the two items you can never have enough of aboard a fishing boat. With combination rod holder cleats, you may now have the best of both worlds. Previously, it was difficult to select whether to use gunwale space for rod holders or cleats. These cleats install similarly to regular rod holders but have a built-in pull-up cleat for mooring or holding boat bumpers.

Open Base Cleats

The majority of the cleats we provide have open base cleat designs, enabling fast mooring with looped lines. The cleat's open base necessitates the use of a looped line that must be passed under the base and looped over the top of the cleat before being drawn taut to hold the boat firmly to the pier. Tie-downs and chocks are the only kind of dock and boat cleats without an open base.

Consider features like mounting holes, mounting style, and size when replacing or upgrading the cleats on your boat or dock.

Mounting Holes

When hunting for an exact replacement cleat that won't require new holes in your boat, mounting hole locations are crucial. Finding a cleat that will precisely fit in your current space will depend on your knowledge of the size of the hole and the distance between them. The majority of the cleats we provide come with thorough drawings that show the precise hole spacing.

Mounting Style 

It is simple to reattach the current cleats' hardware when a cleat is face mounted; just unbolt it first. It's critical to be aware of these characteristics if the cleat is recessed or has a backing plate so your replacement cleat will match and function just as well.

Cleat Size

Always pay attention to the cleats' base size as well as their overall size. Make sure your new cleat will fit and have adequate space to retain the lines by taking measurements of the cleat mounting area. Consider the cleat base as well while determining whether it will fit on the boat or the dock edge.

We have mastered the art of improving boats and assisting boaters in having a better time on the water for more than 40 years. Give us a call if you have any questions regarding a project or a product! Our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you!