Attwood Marine Fold-Down Dock Cleat, Aluminum, White Finish

Overview

The Attwood Marine Fold-Down Dock Cleat is a low-profile dock cleat for securing small boats and personal watercraft while keeping the dock surface cleaner when the cleat is not in use. It flips up when it is time to tie off a line, then folds down again so it is less likely to catch feet, dock carts, covers, or loose gear along the walking area.

This cleat is made from marine-grade aluminum with a corrosion-resistant finish, giving it a practical fit for docks exposed to rain, spray, sun, and regular washdowns. Both size options mount with two standard 3/8-inch carriage bolts, which are not included, so hardware can be matched to the dock material and installation location.

Key features

• Fold-down cleat keeps a lower profile on the dock when no line is attached.
• Flips up for normal tie-off use with dock lines on small boats and watercraft.
• Marine-grade aluminum construction with a corrosion-resistant finish for exposed dock environments.
• Installs with two standard 3/8-inch carriage bolts, allowing the fasteners to be matched to the dock structure.
• Available in 6-inch and 8-inch sizes to suit different dock layouts and line-handling needs.

Variants

This fold-down dock cleat is offered in two size configurations. The cleat style, fold-down function, aluminum construction, corrosion-resistant finish, and 3/8-inch carriage bolt mounting requirement are consistent across the range.

The size is the main difference between the variants, so the choice affects the amount of cleat length available for handling dock lines and the footprint on the dock surface.

• 12048-4: 6-inch size. This size works well where the dock area is limited or where a lower footprint is preferred for tying off smaller boats and watercraft.
• 12049-4: 8-inch size. This size gives more cleat length for line handling while keeping the same fold-down dock-clearing function.

Installation and fit

Mount the cleat to a solid dock surface using two standard 3/8-inch carriage bolts. The bolts are not included, which matters because dock materials vary, and the correct bolt length, washers, and backing support should be selected for the specific installation.

Before drilling, confirm that the cleat can fold down without hitting trim, edging, rub rail, dock boxes, or other hardware. It should be placed where a dock line can lead cleanly from the boat without creating a trip point or sharp angle.

Use on board and around the dock

This cleat is a good match for docks used with small runabouts, fishing boats, tenders, pontoons, and personal watercraft. It is especially useful on narrow finger piers, swim platforms, and busy dock edges where exposed fixed cleats can get in the way when the slip is empty.

For seasonal use, rinse away salt, grit, and dock debris from the folding joint during normal cleaning so the cleat continues to move freely. Check the mounting hardware periodically, especially after storms, heavy wake exposure, or repeated high-load tie-offs.