Hey Dave,

...those freakin' cleats are the WORST I have ever used, I HATE those stoopid things! (grin)

They just don't take the line very well, I was never confident tying off to them, always elected to use the loop end, instead... And, considering they are cleats, some of the corners are surprisingly sharp...

But, it's over time where they really start to show what bullshit they are... After a year or so, that rubber ball will really begin to degrade (perhaps they need fleece covers to protect them from UV?), and then you've got problems... even attempts to keep the ball fresh with lanocote or similar will fail, they start to chew themselves up, and look really ugly, and finally the "ears" of the cleat refuse to open or close properly... Then, try to find replacements for the damn things, you have to send away to the Netherlands, or Sweden, or Italy, and the ultimate replacement can be a real bitch...

These stoopid things are at the top of my list that people "ooh & ahh" over at the Boat Shows, are invariably found on the next Boat of the Year, but in reality turn out to be one of dumbest pieces of deck gear ever devised...

Did I mention I can't stand those damn things? LOL!

best regards,

Jon