The cleat on the stock boat was not a clam cleat. It was a cast aluminum part that was hinged with a pin on the stern end of the part. When the rudder hit something, this part would pop outboard and would pivot on it's pin to allow the release of the cord to the back of the rudder. It sounds like that part was replaced with clam cleats on your boat. The original parts would have looked like clam cleats but without the grooves for grabbing the line. Is that what you have on the boat?

A chicken line was a rope that was tied, mine was eye-spliced, around the aft beam near the cap and extended forward toward the end caps on the forward beam. The forward end of the line was tied to shock cord. The cord ran through the forward beam to connect the forward ends of the chicken line on each side. While out in the trap if you started to dig the bows or began to go flying toward the mast, there was a chance that you could grab the chicken line to arrest your flight forward.

Murrays.com might have the diamond wires or contact pcat@performancecat.com for the specs of the original wires. The wires are there to simply hold the mast up. They can be made by a decent rigging shop if you have the dimensions of what you need. West Marine's specialty riggers are located in N.C., I believe.

My Sol 18 was yellow. I bought it in New Orleans.

I tried to upload photos last night but my page space may be full. Send me a note to my e-mail: deanhubb@yahoo.com