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What I did was put one (approx.) 4" x 6" x 3/4" Mahogany stock (already finished) where ea. cleat goes into the gunnel. Each block is a fastened with 6 S/S screws and "5200". This gives the cleat a "Wider" foot print to hold down on, They've held on for 15 "YEARS" so far. To re-finish just "Tape off" the block, sand, stain, and re-finish when you do the rest of the wood resto... Look's "Neat" and "finished" too. You can see them on my personal page.