Folding Cleats replacing standard Tracker cleats

[joe3buck3]

I have read a number of reports about various problems with the standard Tracker boat cleat and I have experienced most of these issues including BREAKING one of my favorite rods earlier this year. I decided to do something about it so I replaced these cleats with Stainless Steel folding cleats by Whitecap via Amazon. The Whitecap folding cleat is slightly larger (4.5") than the stock Tracker cleat and held to the deck with two 1/4" machine screws.



It was a simple process once I figured out how to use Rivnuts (check out YouTube for lots of DIY videos on rivnuts).
The Tracker cleats are secured to the gunnel with 4 3/16" aluminum rivets which I simply drilled out. Then drilled two holes for my rivnuts.



I cut out a piece of black neoprene gasket material (1/8" thick also available on Amazon) the same shape as the new cleat to fill the small gap created by the rivnuts and to cushion the cleat. Installed the rivnuts and screwed in my two Stainless steel machine screws. If you don’t have any Neoprene gasket material I believe you could use clear GOOP Marine Adhesive under the cleat.

[PolarKraft195]

[Fishtracks]

Looks good! I may have to do this, I have a good scab on my shin as we speak from sliding over the side at the boat ramp and hitting mine. Felt almost as good as hitting a reciever hitch.

[Nailbender8]

Awesome job! I have thought about doing that many times. Looks really good.

[mastergun]

Does it completely cover the original holes? Can't really see the inner two.

[slonezp]

looks good

[joe3buck3]

Does it completely cover the original holes? Can't really see the inner two.

Yes and No. When the cleat is folded down the original holes are completely covered. When raised you can see just the outer edge of the two inner holes so I dabbed a small amount of JB Weld Quickset in each of the original rivet holes which hides them very well. In addition the neoprene gasket does cover them completely.

[richg99]

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

[GeauxTide]

Great idea.

[fuzzion]

Looking good!

[krr6581]

Wow! Those cleats are a little pricey. On ebay you will spend $85 to more than $100 for a set of four. However, they will solve a lot of cleat issues for Tracker owners.

[joe3buck3]

Wow! Those cleats are a little pricey. On ebay you will spend $85 to more than $100 for a set of four. However, they will solve a lot of cleat issues for Tracker owners.

For me $19.50 per cleat with tax delivered seemed fair ($78 for 4). They are made well and as you point out they do take care of the raised cleat issue once and for all.

[CastingCall]

Nice work!
Oh boy, my OCD is kicking in... line up your screw heads, man!

[joe3buck3]

Nice work!
Oh boy, my OCD is kicking in... line up your screw heads, man!

Sorry I must have been in a hurry. All screw heads are now aligned.

[BigDozer66]

Nice clean install man!

[BigEasy]

Those look great. Do you have a link to the supplier?

[joe3buck3]

Those look great. Do you have a link to the supplier?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LFK-Aluminu...from=R40&rt=nc

You may be able to buy aluminum rivet nuts locally.

[FredHilkey]

Nice !! I have only had my Pro 17 TX a few months but have already had one incident . Shoe lace got hooked on back cleat and about did a face plant on the dock . No real danger of falling in , since I was walking up the dock , and although it may of rearranged my face some , likely would of been a improvement . I think my Pride would of been hurt worse .

This is Why I joined this board , Ideas that others have on making their equipment better through practical experience .

Again , Super Job and Thanks for Sharing .

Fred H.

[Casslaw]

Rivnuts are a great tool that a lot of people don’t even know exist! Nice job, the price seems fair for a quality product.

Sorry Fred, I did chuckle a little thinking about the shoelace thing but if it helps....every time I walk around the back of my boat I walk right into the tail light in the trailer! I have permanent bumps on both shins, freakin hurts!

[Lape0019]

Those look awesome. I too had an issue with my rod battling the clear. The cleat won...

The new boat has a cheaper version of these on the but does the same thing.