Some of you with long memories know that the shroud cleat prototype by my friend Cyrus Knowles was created in early 2003. He was willing to donate the idea and design to the sailing community. Over the years, I talked with several companies repeatedly to get them to make a version for production. Both yacht rigger Brion toss and offshore sailing instructor John Neal were both enthused. John has recommended and used the high lifeline concept for years. They think, as I do, that they are more likely to keep a person on board, especially when used with a shortened tether. A 3' tether works for most jobs.

Well finally there is a product out in the new C.S Johnson catalog. I had sent Cyrus's plastic prototype to them a bit less than two years ago and made another routine followup call a couple days ago. I just heard the news back from Bert Johnson today. He says that they decided not to go forward with a stainless cleat as in the prototype because they worried that someone might end up tying their Boston Whaler to it, seeing the nice sturdy stainless cleat. When I get my own pair of the fairleads, I'll probably use them most of the time to secure a flag halyard as I do now with the aluminum prototypes (see photo). The web URL shows the catalog page with a photo of the CS Johnson version.

These parts are individually CNC machined so they are not cheap. I think the retail price will be something like $150 EACH. It will probably be a month before the packaging and manual are complete. Works with shrouds 5/16" to 1/2" using the spacers in the kit.

I have no financial stake in this, nor does Cyrus, other than a free pair of the new fairleads each.