Attachments of Cleats for Seat Supports

In this blog entry I have included photos of the support cleats for the seat tops and sides.  For the cleats I used some scrap treated fence boards that a neighbor gave me after recently having a fence installed.  These cleats measure 5/8" thick and approximately 3" long and 2.25" wide.  I recall the plans actually recommending 3/4" thickness, but I had this scrap wood on hand and it was already treated.  I compensated for the thickness by installing a few extra pieces and increasing the width of each, which allows more surface area to be epoxied.

For the installation of the cleats on the sidewalls of the boat, I found the use of duct tape very useful.  After pre-measuring the positioning of the cleats I cut strips of duct tape for each of the cleats.  After applying the epoxy to the cleats, I then secured them in place with the duct-tape.  As far as the cleats on the inside of the seat side panels, I was able to secure them with hand clamps since they are positioned along the top edge of side panel (photo 112).

My next step is to cut the holes in the seat side panels which will serve as access ports.  I have already drawn the location of the access hole and will cut those this July 4th weekend.