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.

On Wed, 25 Aug 2004 20:31:20 -0400, Sunny wrote:

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.

======================================

That's a real concern. I know a fellow who ended up in the hospital
after falling on a dock post.

On my dock I leave the lines permanently tied, cleating and uncleating
from the boat.

In the Chevy dealership parts department today. There are tie down cleats
for trucks that fit into the stake holes and also can be mounted in the
body. They lay flat when not needed.

"Sunny" wrote in message
. ..


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.

Calif Bill wrote:

In the Chevy dealership parts department today. There are tie down cleats
for trucks that fit into the stake holes and also can be mounted in the
body. They lay flat when not needed.

Thanks for the suggestion.

The only folding tie downs at my local Chevy dealer were open hooks -
fine if ropes are tied tightly as when securing a load, but not suitable
for mooring boats where ropes have slack.

"Sunny" wrote in message
. ..


Doug Kanter wrote:


"Sunny" wrote in message
om...



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.

"Sunny" wrote in message
. ..


I had considered metal posts, but was still concerned about kid
injuries.

How old are these kids??? I was always very cautious with my son, but at
some point, they have to learn to deal with minor hazards on their own.
They're more likely be attacked by the legs on a coffee table or chair.

What about a 4x4 wooden post? If you polyurethane the bejeezus out of it,
you could avoid using treated wood. You could bevel all the edges to make
them hand-friendly.

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.

So, put an eye splice or a bowline at the end of each rope so they only need
to be dropped onto the posts.