Bertram33 User Forum

Has anyone taken out the rear cleats on a 35? If so are they through bolted and is there access anywhere to the nuts? I'm thinking of re-doing the Formica sides with PVC when she comes out of storage but I remember the cleats have to come out to do the project.

If they arelike the 33, there is a block of wood glassed onto the inside of the transom and the cleats are screwed into the wood.

You have to remove the panels and unbolt the cleat from the glassed in block of wood. Put a wrench on the nut and use a BIG Philips bit to turn the bolt. Thats the 33 anyways, should be the same??? Maybe....

The panels won't come out without taking the cleats out first. I was wondering if they are just screwed into a block or if they are trough bolted with a nut?

They are put in with lag screws, you can just unscrew them. I took mine off to put in some rod holders, and they were screwed in to the block of wood with big lag screws. I was surprised that they were not bolted on. Scott.

Thank you! I guess I will have to get the big screwdriver! I'm surprised that there is no nut but it certainly makes it easier.

If you're replacing the panels, I used PVC board painted with awlgrip and some manufactuered hatchs, had a heck of time finding long & skinny also consider replacing the wooden cleat they are screwed to on the bottom edge with a strip of starboard, I added a couple of larger gaps for drainage, the water sitting in there over the years rotted the bottom of the blocks the cleats are screwed to. br, Alan.

How thick PVC board did you use for the panels? Have they stayed straight & stable? I'm thinking of using 3/4" Versatex. (PVC). The manufacturer seems to think the 3/4' will be enough for the panels and the hatch door. The doors on my 75 Bert are about 13" x 5'. Thanks for the cleat advice. I'll be better prepared when I open it up.

As I recall it was 1/2 inch, I used manufactured hatches from a marine salvage place in Fla. - they were unused but were the only long and thin ones I could find at the time although weren't as long as original. The only problem was that I shot them off of the bottom of the panel so they follow the deck line and should have shot them off of the gunnel as they look a little off level since the eye sees the top first. I'll check this weekend on sizes and if I remember take a picture. alan.

Thanks Alano. Got to the boat today and the cleats do come right out. I'll have to pay attention to mounting the new boards based on your comment. I'm looking at 3/4" PVC. Any photos of yours?

Removed mine today. Through bolted with 1/2" nyloc nuts. JMHO