Lifting Eyes & Cleats

What Are Marine Lifting Eyes & Cleats?

When it comes time to haul your boat out of the water, store it for the season, or secure it at the dock, having the right hardware in the right place makes all the difference. Lifting eyes and cleats are two of the most essential pieces of deck hardware on any vessel, serving distinct but equally critical roles in boat handling and mooring.

Lifting eyes are purpose-built attachment points mounted to the deck or bow of a boat that provide a secure anchor for lifting the vessel with a crane, hoist, or sling. Lifting a boat by its standard cleats or standard bow eye can damage the vessel and be downright dangerous — which is exactly why dedicated lifting eyes exist. Most boats come equipped with a pair of transom eyes as well as a bow eye in the stem, but not all boats have a suitable point for lifting the bow, and it's important that any lifting point is properly connected to the hull, since hardware secured only to the deck can damage the hull-to-deck joint.

Cleats, on the other hand, are the workhorses of dockside boat handling. Boat cleats are crucial for securing your vessel at the dock, acting as anchors and secure attachment points for tying ropes or lines and holding your boat in place against wind, tides, and currents. Many modern designs combine both functions: lifting cleats combine lifting eyes and mooring cleats into a single multipurpose, integrated component.

Key Considerations When Shopping for Lifting Eyes & Cleats

• Material: 316 stainless steel and marine silicon bronze excel in saltwater environments; avoid mixed-metal galvanic pairs without isolation. Many quality products are built from marine-grade 316 stainless steel for the cleat body, with 304 stainless used for supporting hardware.
• Working Load Limit (WLL): The Working Load Limit is the manufacturer's rated safe working capacity under normal conditions — exceeding WLL risks hardware failure and injury. Always verify the rated capacity matches or exceeds your vessel's weight.
• Installation: For high loads, combine hardware with properly sized backing plates and sealants to spread loads and prevent water intrusion.
• Flush vs. Pull-Up Designs: Pull-up and recessed cleat styles sit flush with the deck when not in use, reducing trip hazards and line snag — a particularly practical feature on working boats and performance vessels.
• Application: Most eye straps are for retention or fairlead duties — not lifting. Use a dedicated, rated lifting pad eye with a published WLL and follow the manufacturer's installation guidance.

Top Brands in Marine Lifting Eyes & Cleats

Seachoice is one of the most trusted names in marine deck hardware. Seachoice was established in 1988 as a supplier of high-quality marine hardware and OEM replacement parts with a focus on cleats, hinges, and hasps. Seachoice marine accessories and OEM replacement parts are manufactured to rigorous standards to ensure proper function and first-rate appearance. Their lifting eye and cleat lineup spans lifting rings, pull-up cleats, locking lifting rings, and complete adapter plate systems — all crafted primarily from 316 stainless steel for lasting corrosion resistance on the water.