What Are Dock Cleats & Marine Bollards?

Dock cleats (also called boat cleats or yacht cleats) are compact tie-off fittings installed along a dock to secure canoes, kayaks, RIBs, and yachts using mooring lines. Marine mooring bollards are heavy-duty posts designed for higher loads and are common on commercial piers and harbor wharves.

How They’re Used at Marinas & Piers

Cleats and bollards are installed at strategic points along the dock face or quay. Correct placement allows crew and passengers to board and disembark safely while keeping vessels firmly alongside, minimizing impact from wind, surge, and passing wakes.

Key Benefits

• Secure mooring: Keep canoes, yachts, and workboats fixed to the dock and reduce collision risk.
• Safer boarding: Stable tie-off improves access for passengers and crew.
• Space efficiency: Optimize berths so multiple boats can occupy the pier.
• Neat appearance: Quality hardware improves marina aesthetics and professionalism.

Common Types of Dock Cleats & Bollards

Dock Cleats for Canoes & Yachts

• Fixed cleats: Through-bolted or lag-screwed to the dock for maximum stability. Typical materials: stainless steel, aluminum, or reinforced nylon.
• Pop-up / retractable cleats: Sit flush when not in use to reduce trip hazards and snagging.
• Swivel cleats: Allow limited rotation to align with the line angle and reduce chafe.

Marine Mooring Bollards

• T-head & Horn bollards: Easy line handling and multiple line angles.
• Single/Double bitt bollards: High capacity and robust construction for commercial berths.
• Low-profile / kidney bollards: Compact footprint where deck space is limited.
• Materials & finishes: Cast steel or ductile iron with corrosion-resistant coatings; stainless options for premium marinas.

Note: Rubber is typically used for fenders or protective sleeves around steel bollards, not as the primary structural material of the bollard.

Installation Guide (Overview)

1. Survey & layout: Mark ideal positions based on berth length, freeboard, and line angles.
2. Mark & drill: Drill holes to the specified diameter and depth for anchors or through-bolts.
3. Install anchors: Use stainless bolts with backing plates; for concrete, use mechanical or chemical anchors per load rating.
4. Set hardware: Place the cleat/bollard, torque fixings to spec, and apply sealant where required.
5. Final check: Inspect alignment, re-torque after initial load, and record in maintenance log.

Maintenance & Care

• Rinse and clean regularly to remove salt and debris.
• Inspect fasteners and baseplates; re-torque or replace if corrosion or wear is found.
• Touch up coatings on steel bollards; use protective sleeves or fairleads to limit chafe.
• Replace worn parts immediately to maintain safety margins.

Bollards for Large Vessels

Commercial ports use higher-capacity bollards to secure container ships, tankers, and cargo vessels. T-head, horn, and double-bitt designs handle multi-line arrangements and higher mooring loads. Cruise and fishing terminals may choose more compact or aesthetic forms without compromising capacity.

Nguyen Tai Rubber — Supplier of High-Quality Cleats & Bollards

If you need dock cleats for canoes and yachts or marine mooring bollards for harbors and marinas, Nguyen Tai Rubber supplies durable, high-performance products with competitive pricing and responsive support.

• Wide range of sizes and load ratings
• Coating options for marine corrosion protection
• Installation guidance and after-sales service

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size dock cleat do I need for a canoe or small yacht?

As a rule of thumb, choose a cleat approximately 1″ in length per 1/16″ of dock line diameter (e.g., 8″–10″ cleat for 3/8″–1/2″ lines). Always follow the manufacturer’s load ratings.

How far apart should dock cleats be installed?

Spacing typically ranges from 1.5–2.0 times the boat length for main cleats, with additional cleats near boarding points. Confirm with your marina design and local standards.

Which material is best for saltwater?

Marine-grade stainless steel or coated cast steel for bollards; stainless, anodized aluminum, or reinforced nylon for cleats. Use stainless fasteners and isolate dissimilar metals where possible.

Do I need bollards or cleats?

Use cleats for small craft (canoes, tenders, yachts). Use bollards where higher mooring loads or commercial operations demand greater capacity.