Attwood Marine Neat Cleat Backing Plates, Stainless Steel

Overview

The Attwood Marine Neat Cleat Backing Plates is a range of stainless steel backing plates made for Attwood Neat Cleat and Combo Cleat installations in 4-1/2", 6", and 8" cleat sizes. These plates sit below the mounting surface and help spread fastener load across the deck, gunwale, cabin roof, or other fiberglass molding where a cleat is installed.

For boats that see regular docking, rafting, fender use, or short mooring loads, the backing plate is a small part that matters. It adds support behind the cleat hardware instead of leaving the fasteners to bear against fiberglass alone, which is especially useful on thin or molded surfaces.

Key features

• Stainless steel backing plate range for Attwood Neat Cleat installations.
• Available for 4-1/2", 6", and 8" compatible cleat sizes.
• 6" and 8" versions are listed for Neat Cleat or Combo Cleat use.
• Helps distribute cleat fastener load below fiberglass mounting surfaces.
• Useful when installing or replacing retractable cleats on decks, gunwales, and cabin roof areas.
• Helps create a cleaner, more supported installation where underside access is available.

Variants

This product is offered in three configurations, each matched to a different compatible cleat size.

The size is the key difference between variants. The backing plate function remains the same across the range, while cleat compatibility changes by part number.

• 66529-1: Compatible Cleat Size 4-1/2". This size matches smaller Attwood Neat Cleat installations where space on the deck or gunwale is more limited.
• 66531-1: Compatible Cleat Size 6". This size is used with Attwood 6" Neat Cleat or Combo Cleat setups, a common fit for mid-size deck hardware locations.
• 66533-1: Compatible Cleat Size 8". This size supports the larger Attwood 8" Neat Cleat format where the mounting point needs to match the longer cleat footprint.

Compatibility and fit

Match the backing plate to the cleat size already installed or planned for the boat. The 4-1/2" version is tied to the 4-1/2" Neat Cleat, while the 6" and 8" versions are tied to their corresponding Neat Cleat or Combo Cleat sizes.

This is backing hardware, not the cleat itself. It is intended for installations where the underside of the mounting surface can be reached so the plate can sit behind the cleat fasteners.

Installation and use on board

A backing plate is most useful on fiberglass surfaces that may flex or concentrate stress around the fastener holes. During installation, it should sit flat against the underside of the mounting area so the cleat load is spread across a wider surface.

This range suits boat owners, yards, and riggers adding or servicing Attwood retractable cleats on fishing boats, cruisers, runabouts, and other vessels where deck hardware needs proper support behind the surface.