Marine Hardware
Stainless Steel Boat Cleats
316 marine grade, mirror polished, weld-free cast construction. Factory-direct from Profab Machine with custom sizing and OEM support.
Marine Hardware Supplier
Stainless Steel Bushing Manufacturer in China
A boat cleat gives your docking lines a fixed, load-bearing attachment point on deck or dock. When that cleat fails, the line goes with it. Profab manufactures stainless steel marine cleats from 316 grade material, investment-cast and mirror polished to meet the demands of saltwater, UV exposure, and repeated mechanical loading. Surface treatment follows a graded process: degreasing, mechanical polishing, and final passivation. Every batch is inspectable against our surface roughness (Ra) and reflectivity standards.
You can order standard sizes from 4″ to 12″ or specify custom dimensions for OEM programs. Profab supports prototype evaluation and scale-up production with no hard minimum order, making it practical to qualify a new cleat style before committing to volume.
- 316 marine grade — chloride and salt spray resistant
- Mirror polished finish — Ra value on request
- Weld-free cast construction — no weak points at joins
- Custom dimensions and OEM labeling available
Product Range
Types of Stainless Steel Marine Cleats
Profab supplies four standard cleat configurations in 316 stainless. Each style addresses specific deck layout and loading requirements. Custom profiles are available on request.
Horn Cleat
| Also called | Open base cleat |
| Material | 316 SS |
| Surface | Mirror polished |
| Sizes | 4"–12" |
| Mounting | Through-bolt |
The most widely used style on docks and deck. Solid two-arm profile gives fast wrap-and-lock for any line diameter.
Hollow Base Cleat
| Also called | Recessed base cleat |
| Material | 316 SS |
| Surface | Mirror polished |
| Sizes | 4"–10" |
| Mounting | Through-bolt |
Recessed base reduces weight while maintaining structural integrity. Common on mid-size sailboats where deck load distribution matters.
Folding Cleat
| Also called | Flip-up cleat |
| Material | 316 SS |
| Surface | Mirror polished |
| Sizes | 5"–8" |
| Mounting | Flush recessed |
Arms fold flat when not in use, eliminating trip hazards on high-traffic decks. Used on motor yachts and charter vessels.
Pop-Up Cleat
| Also called | Flush mount cleat |
| Material | 316 SS |
| Surface | Mirror polished |
| Sizes | 5"–8" |
| Mounting | Flush cut-in |
Spring-loaded mechanism keeps the deck surface clean when not in use. Preferred on sports boats and racing yachts where deck aesthetics are a priority.
Material Specification
304, 316L, or 17-4PH — Matching Grade to Environment
304 Stainless
The standard austenitic grade for bushings in non-marine, non-chemical environments. Excellent machinability allows tight bore tolerances at competitive cost. Suitable for food equipment, automation, and indoor industrial applications.
Food · Automation · Indoor
316 / 316L
The specified grade for bushings in salt spray, seawater, and chloride-rich environments. The 2–3% molybdenum addition raises pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) to ≥ 24 — well above the 304 threshold. Essential for marine fittings, valves, pump trims, and outdoor installations. Especially 316 stainless steel has excellent resistance to corrosive saltwater effects.
Marine · Chemical · Pumps
17-4PH
Precipitation-hardened martensitic grade achieving ≥ 1,310 MPa tensile strength in H900 condition. Specified for bushings in high-load, small-envelope applications where a 304 or 316L bushing would be too large to achieve the required load capacity. Used in aerospace, motorsport, and precision industrial machinery.
Aerospace · Motorsport · Hi-load
Applications
Where Stainless Steel Bushings Are Used
Due to their excellent corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and ability to operate in wet or chemically aggressive environments, stainless bushings are specified across industries where carbon steel or bronze alternatives would corrode or contaminate.
01
Sailboats & Yachts
Offshore sailing puts cleats under sustained lateral loads from mooring lines and dock lines in tidal surges. 316 grade resists crevice corrosion at the bolt interface, where lower grades fail first.
02
Motorboats & Pontoons
Bow and stern cleats on motorboats handle spring-line loads during berthing and fender attachment. Mirror-polished 316 cleats hold up to fuel, bilge water, and regular deck washing without surface degradation.
03
Docks & Marinas
Stainless steel dock cleats sit outdoors year-round. Marina operators need hardware that won’t rust and stain the dock surface. 316 stainless deck cleats require no protective coating and are easy to inspect and replace.
04
Commercial & Workboats
Fishing vessels and commercial workboats operate in continuous saltwater exposure with heavy line loads. Weld-free cast 316 cleats eliminate the failure points that fabricated or welded cleats develop under cyclical stress.
Why Profab
Precision Machined to Your Exact Specification
Direct-from-Manufacturer Advantage
We are the original manufacturer—eliminate all unnecessary middlemen. That means you get the most competitive prices in the market. Enjoy maximum profit margins while ensuring consistent, high-quality stainless steel parts tailored for your business.
Engineering Support and Fast Sampling
We work closely with your technical team to understand and respond to your unique part needs. Whether it’s a CAD file, material conversion or specific tolerances, we can quickly provide samples and provide expert feedback to accelerate your product development.
Volume Discounts for Scalable Business
The more you order, the more you save. We offer tiered pricing for bulk orders, helping you stay competitive as you scale your business. Enjoy more flexible terms for long-term partnerships.
Technical Reference
Sizing Guide
Table 1 — Recommended Cleat Size by Vessel Length
| Vessel Length | Typical Line Diameter | Recommended Cleat Length | Suggested Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 20 ft | 3/8" (10mm) | 4"–5" | Horn Cleat | Small boats, dinghies, tender dinghy docks |
| 20–30 ft | 7/16"–1/2" (11–12mm) | 6"–8" | Horn Cleat / Hollow Base | Day sailors, center consoles, small motorboats |
| 30–40 ft | 9/16"–5/8" (14–16mm) | 8"–10" | Horn Cleat / Folding Cleat | Mid-range yachts, sportfishing boats |
| 40–55 ft | 3/4"–7/8" (19–22mm) | 10"–12" | Horn Cleat / Pop-Up Cleat | Larger yachts, commercial charter vessels |
| 55 ft & above | 1"+ (25mm+) | 12"+ custom | Heavy-duty Horn / Custom | Commercial workboats, megayachts — contact Profab for custom spec |
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