Characteristics of Different Types of Boat Cleat

There's a variety of different types of boat cleats on the market these days... Here's a little breakdown to help you decide which type will work best for your boat.

• Standard Cleats: these are inexpensive, & require no cutouts for mounting. The disadvantages? They eat toes for breakfast & love to snag fishing lines.

• Pull-Up Cleats: can be manually pushed down into their bases when not being used. These are rounded & smooth to prevent snagging & minimize stubbed toes.

• Pop-Up Cleats: these are essentially pull-up cleats with the addition of a spring that "pops" the cleat up at the push of a button. The downside? these have more moving parts that do occasionally stick, especially when they get sandy.

• Folding Cleats: have a larger footprint than pull-up & pop-up cleats. They hinge down flat when not in use & are fully waterproof.