Doug Kanter wrote:

"Sunny" wrote in message
. ..


but
the recesses would accumulate ice and snow and likely become unusable in
fall.



Well...you can't have everything! Bigger recesses and bigger cleats, easier
to smack the accumulated ice with the heel of your shoe or a blunt object.
By the way, if the ice is that thick, won't the boat be out of the water?
Another idea: How about round metal posts, and learn to tie the appropriate
knots.

We usually keep one boat in the water until just before freeze-up since
our cottage is water-access only, and given the high rate of flow
through our lake there is often a month or more of cold, snowy weather
before the lake freezes.

I had considered metal posts, but was still concerned about kid
injuries. I'm reasonably proficient at the appropriate knots, but the
same cannot be said for the rest of the family or most of our visitors.