Cleat Placement. Inside or Top of Gunnel?

[Full Throttle]

I've seen several boats lately that have the rope cleats mounted inside the boat rather than ontop of the gunnels. I've been told this is done to prevent nets from tangling on the cleat while netting fish.

Is the tangling enough of a problem to warrant placing the cleats in a less accessible area. Seems to me it would be a hassle to have them inside the boat.

I have been in the market for an open sled, and this is one of the options that has been discussed. Wanting to get some feedback from those with some insight.

Also, any opinions on full side paint or sharkhide application to protect against saltwater?

[Uglygreen]

I have tangled nets, tangled line, broken rods, tripped, busted knuckles, etc. on my top mounted cleats. Inside is much better IMHO. It might be a little bit of a pain some of the time versus always being a pain most of the time.

UG

[greenbuttskunk]

personally I would'nt want to have to lean against a cleat either though, and a net can still tangle on a side mounted cleat. If you have a splash well then a side mount cleat would work pretty well I bet. I really like the type that can be retracted so they become flush when not needed, I bet you can buy them somewhere.

[greenbuttskunk]

fishstalker,
sent you a pm

[Full Throttle]

Thanks for the replies. Never worried about it in my inboard jet, as everything seemed to be in the way anyway....thus the reason I'm jumping the fence to an open style boat.

Thanks again.