445/455/458 - retractable cleats leaking

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retractable cleats leaking

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 445/455/458
Forum Description: 445/455/458 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15291
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:41
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: retractable cleats leaking

Posted By: MyBMW
Subject: retractable cleats leaking
Date Posted: 08 August 2025 at 21:15

we noticed a slow leak of saltwater into the saloon on our drive up from San Diego last week. Upon inspection at the dock, under a hose soaking, at least 3 of the cleats indeed have a slow leak.

Working through the warranty to resolve now, apparently this has happened before.

Anyone else experience leaks from their cleats?

Curious to hear if this is a recurring issues, need to reagularly address or if anyone has found a permanent solution.

Thank you!

-------------
Jumeirah
San Francisco
(458 #253)

Replies:

Posted By: marsella
Date Posted: 08 August 2025 at 23:41

I havent been checking the cleats for leaks but dont think I have such problem on my boat. The water in saloon can also come from leaking hatches (had this before) and windows. For the midship cleats, I dont think there is access underneath, not even sure how to fix those. Those at bow and stern should be easy to fix.

Posted By: MyBMW
Date Posted: 08 August 2025 at 23:50

we tested windows and hatches, dry.

The cleats leaks are drips through the retractable portion, underneath.

The bow and stern four are relatively easy to access.

Midship are less accessible, although water appears ontop of cabinets.

They all get taken-out from above:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Uujkn72cJqCteShe7" rel="nofollow - https://photos.app.goo.gl/Uujkn72cJqCteShe7

*bonus, one of the drill cores was dropped inside during construction:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YZdaMG52j9jNPZVC6

Was banging around and does not want to exit

-------------
Jumeirah
San Francisco
(458 #253)

Posted By: marsella
Date Posted: 09 August 2025 at 01:00

Looks like an easy fix for midship cleats but I am surprized no backing plate exists underneath as it looks from your pic. I recollect both bow and stern cleats have backing plates.

Posted By: MyBMW
Date Posted: 09 August 2025 at 01:29

good point

negative on the backing plate:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xwWmLjXqCsbEv8mG6" rel="nofollow - https://photos.app.goo.gl/xwWmLjXqCsbEv8mG6

^This is from underneath the starboard aft cleat before removing

-------------
Jumeirah
San Francisco
(458 #253)

Posted By: Wayne's World
Date Posted: 09 August 2025 at 01:44

The cleats and almost all bolted fixtures are threaded into aluminium plates set within the fiberglass layup.

-------------
Wayne W
Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026.

Posted By: marsella
Date Posted: 09 August 2025 at 03:38

The backing plates are painted, I think I see one plate on the pic, very right, another bolt is there.

Posted By: Arcadia
Date Posted: 09 August 2025 at 13:29

Wayne is correct in that the backing plates are embedded in the layup. Curious if your leak is coming through the large hole in the deck, the screw holes, or through the metal cylinder where the post retracts into.

-------------
Leon / ARCADIA
2018 Hanse 588
Sag Harbor, NY

Posted By: MyBMW
Date Posted: 09 August 2025 at 16:12

small drops form under the retractable cylinders, then fall down. Might be due to their length and accumulation around and gravity pulling water off them. Dealer says they need more adhesive around the cleats to set in properly, so I am guessing the leaks originate elsewhere. Will be testing again soon.

Are we the only ones with this issue?

-------------
Jumeirah
San Francisco
(458 #253)

Posted By: MyBMW
Date Posted: 09 August 2025 at 16:16

here is a brief video waiting for a droplet to fall:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VrM2X7XXRGKer1uV8" rel="nofollow - https://photos.app.goo.gl/VrM2X7XXRGKer1uV8

it is on the bottom of the retractable portion, however the water enters somewhere above

will try to get some video with the hose running to see the water enter, good for documentation as we are still under warranty

-------------
Jumeirah
San Francisco
(458 #253)

Posted By: Bilbungra
Date Posted: 25 August 2025 at 00:39

My 455 had leaks through the midships cleats. They were not seal properly so allowed water to trick under the base plate and drip into the boat. Easy to lift off clean and reseal. No problems since.

Posted By: MyBMW
Date Posted: 25 August 2025 at 15:12

sounds similar and spoke with another owner on a 455 who had some interior damage before identifying the cleat as the source (thought it was the window)

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Jumeirah
San Francisco
(458 #253)

Posted By: Black Diamond
Date Posted: 26 August 2025 at 02:25

To Wayne's point, how do you know that its the cleats that are leaking? Almost nothing is "thru bolted" on a Hanse. Rather, things are screwed into hard points with metal plates that are tapped for specific bolts (like the deck organizers for example).

As its a new boat, it doesn't sound like a previous owner did something like thru-bolt new hardware.

I don't doubt there is a leak, but often times it could be something else. I would strongly suggest confirming where the leak is coming from.

-------------
Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI