Overview

The Attwood Marine 66517-1 is a 6 inch retractable Neat Cleat in stainless steel for boats that need a low-profile tie-off point without leaving a fixed cleat in the way. It sits down to about 1-5/8 inch high when lowered, measures 6 inch long by 1-1/2 inch wide, and needs about 3-1/8 inch of depth below the mounting surface.

This style works well where side decks, cockpit corners, and narrow gunwales do not have much room for a conventional cleat. When the cleat is pulled up, the spring-loaded mechanism holds it in position for docking or mooring lines, then drops back down to leave a smoother deck surface with less chance of snagging lines, feet, or gear.

The mounting setup also accounts for water management below deck. Drainage receptacles are included and fit onto the threaded studs to route moisture away, using standard 1/4 inch pilot tubing that is sold separately.

Key features

• Retractable 6 inch cleat with a thin profile that fits narrow gunwales and leaves less hardware exposed when stowed
• Spring-loaded hold-up action keeps the cleat up during line handling, then lets it sit low when not in use
• Two 7/8 inch stainless steel stanchions give the cleat its working structure
• Installed size is about 6 inch long by 1-1/2 inch wide, 1-5/8 inch high when lowered, with 3-1/8 inch of below-deck depth
• Drainage receptacles are included and sized to work with standard 1/4 inch pilot tubing for routing moisture to the bilge
• Simple two-hole installation suits decks and gunwales where a broader cleat base would be harder to fit

Installation and fit

This cleat installs by drilling two holes with the appropriate hole saw, so it is a practical option for refits as well as new builds. Before ordering, it is worth checking both the top-side footprint and the 3-1/8 inch clearance below the mounting surface, especially in areas with liners, backing structure, or limited access.

Because the drainage receptacles attach below deck, this setup makes the most sense where moisture can be routed cleanly away from the mounting point. The outlet size matches standard 1/4 inch pilot tubing, which is not included.

Use on board

This cleat is a good match for boat owners who want a tie-off point that stays out of the way between uses. It fits particularly well on boats with walk-through deck areas, fishing spaces, or narrow side decks where a fixed cleat can catch dock lines, shoes, or gear.