Aug 20, 2019

Many owners prefer the clean appearance and added safety of retractable boat cleats, yet may not realize just how easy an upgrade installation is. Accon Marine 202 Pop-Up® Cleats require only basic tools for mounting, enabling replacement of old bollard-style models in minutes.

Made of corrosion-resistant, marine-grade 316 stainless steel for exceptional durability, stylish Accon 202 Pop-Up Cleats push flush into the deck when not required, eliminating a common tripping hazard. Available in 4-1/2", 6", 8" and 10" sizes to suit a wide range of boats, they offer the same secure holding power as a standard cleat. The popular Accon 6" model is shown to hold 11,400 lbs. in laboratory testing.

Each 202 Series Pop-Up Cleat comes complete with a stainless steel backing plate that doubles as an installation template. The mounting project requires only basic tools and hardware: for the 6" cleat, it's a drill with standard bits and a 5/8" hole saw attachment, jigsaw, screwdriver, wrench and four 1/4" stainless steel screws with washers and nylon insert locking nuts.
To begin, ensure there is at least 3" of clearance below deck of the mounting location to accommodate the cleat and Pop-Up mechanism when retracted. Apply painter's tape to the hull to protect the area from scratches.

Use the supplied backing plate to mark the cleat's outline on the tape surface, then drill three 5/8" holes to mark the center and ends of the cleat. A jigsaw makes it easy to finish cutting out the required opening.

With the mounting hole cut, simply place the cleat into position to check the fit, mark the four holes required for the retaining screws and remove the cleat again. After drilling out the screw holes, remove the backing tape, carefully lower the cleat into place and insert mounting screws. Position the backing plate below deck, then tighten the screws with the washers and locking nuts. A video at bit.ly/popupcleat demonstrates the process step by step, plus covers instructions for top mounting when there is no below-deck access.

Accon Marine 202 Series Pop-Up Cleats are backed by a lifetime warranty. www.acconmarine.com.