Ronstan Cleats
Ronstan Cleats: Precision-Engineered Line Control for Sailors
When a split-second release or a rock-solid hold can make the difference between a clean tack and a lost race, the cleat on your control line becomes one of the most consequential pieces of hardware on your boat. Ronstan has spent decades engineering cleats that rise to exactly that challenge, earning a reputation among competitive and cruising sailors alike for hardware that simply works — race after race, season after season.
The C-Cleat™: Carbon Fibre Technology Meets Real-World Performance
Ronstan's flagship offering in the cleats category is the C-Cleat™ cam cleat series. Intensive development efforts have produced a high-performance range that delivers unbeatable holding power while still allowing easy cleating and releasing of control lines in every application and load condition. The secret lies in several layers of engineering working together:
- Carbon Fibre Composite Cams: The C-Cleat™ features lightweight, ultra-rigid carbon fibre composite cams that are corrosion free, wear resistant, and non-abrasive — meaning they grip the line firmly without chewing through expensive rope.
- Advanced Composite Base: The base is produced from long fibre reinforced polymer, an advanced composite technology that delivers metal-replacement performance at a fraction of the weight.
- Slotted Bearings: Self-lubricating, self-cleaning slotted bearings provide lower frictional resistance and quicker response times than conventional ball bearings, while also offering superior resistance to sand and salt — two of the marine environment's most relentless enemies.
- Multi-Coil Spring: A stainless steel multi-coil spring recessed in the upper part of the cam generates near-constant torque, ensuring secure cleating of even the smallest lines with minimal abrasion or rope wear and low line entry and exit efforts.
- Rope-Friendly Tooth Profile: The unique tooth profile and cam geometry are specifically engineered to grip without damaging the rope, protecting your running rigging investment.
The C-Cleat™ is available in small, medium, and large sizes and multiple colorways, making it straightforward to match your boat's existing hardware aesthetic while selecting the right load rating for each application.
Aluminium Alloy Models for Extreme Loads
For applications where high wear and extreme loads are a constant reality, Ronstan also offers aluminium cam cleat models. These cams are hot-forged and hard anodised for maximum strength and corrosion resistance, available in small and medium sizes — a purpose-built option when carbon composite is not enough.
V-Cleats™: Low-Profile Versatility
Rounding out the lineup, Ronstan's V-Cleat™ series takes a different approach. These cleats are lightweight with a low, snag-free profile, and the base is designed to suit mounting on both flat and curved surfaces. This versatility makes them a natural fit for trapeze applications and anywhere a minimal footprint is critical.
Why Ronstan Cleats Stand Apart
Founded in 1953, Ronstan has grown into a global leader in sailing and marine hardware, and their cleats reflect that depth of experience. Every design decision — from the choice of carbon fibre over aluminum for the cams, to the slotted bearing geometry, to the recessed spring — traces back to a specific problem identified on the water. For sailors who demand hardware that performs when the pressure is on, Ronstan cleats represent some of the most carefully considered line-management solutions available.