Bollard versus Cleat

[henryw]

For mooring points on deck, what are the arguments or rationale for fitting horn cleats versus raked bollards versus mooring bits?
How does mooring line size affect the choice of cleat or bollard?

Thanks, Bill

[benz]

Hi Bill,

Cleat or bollard matters less than having the proper size fitting for the line to be used. Nothing worse than trying to belay a half-inch line to a four-inch horn cleat. After that it's really just preference and aesthetics: whatever you're most comfortable with. I like to have mooring bitts as big as as will fit without looking ridiculous, since sometimes you want three or four lines belayed to them, and I really like the traditional keel-stepped double bitt that goes on either side of the bowsprit and has a crossbar--your belaying options with that are limited only to your imagination. Bigger is also easier to belay to quickly, and harder for ropes to jam on, and generally more load-spreading.
So go with whatever method best fits the motif of your boat and your preference, making sure only that it is sufficiently large and properly fastened.
Best,
Ben

[Douglas]

Sound familiar ? ,,,,, generally speaking, the larger the radius of the bollard, bit or cleat, the better for the line, and spreading the load over a larger area.

Check out the size and radius on bollards or bits on a tug boat , they are huge.

Somewhere, I think that there is a guide-line on radius size vs diameter of line that can be used.

As for wood sampson posts or bits , chain can be bad to use on them, as they can snap right off, with out the elasticity that line , has when used on them.

Douglas