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On 22 Aug 2004 07:46:13 -0700, (Tim)
wrote:

What I would like to know is if these saddles would be up to the job
of supporting the spinnaker sheet loads (I don't know for sure if that
is what they intended for originally)??

Assuming they were installed correctly would they be ok without a
backing plate??

Being new to owning a boat (I have sailed for years but never done
much maintenance) I want to make sure I am doing the right thing
before using them with the spinnnaker.

I have never heard of your boat, but I can suggest some general
points:

1) If the boat has never been raced, it may never have been subjected
to the strains associated with racing, which can be sustained and very
strong. So you can't really tell (unless those washers are dished or
the bolts are deformed) whether the existing set-up is sufficient for
your plans.

2) The fact that you are asking about backing plates indicates you are
concerned. I like backing plates over washers (and personally
retrofitted my boat with 1/4 aluminum plates under all deck gear,
cleats, and winches) because they spread loads more effectively over a
larger space, which reduces crazing of gelcoat, bending of bolts and
breaking of bedding seals, which WILL allow water into the boat.

So, if you intend on keeping this boat, I would say if access is easy,
replace all washers with plates. You can have aluminum custom cut, or
you can use power and/or shop tools (a drill press is particularly
handy) with 1/4 in. easily.

3) A lot of decks are cored to save weight and give laminate strength.
Great idea until water gets in, soaks things, freezes and splits new
crevices, corrodes bolts, etc....you get the picture. If you decide to
tackle this, you can closely examine the deck for signs of water/core
damage, and remedy the hard way (replace all damaged core...a BIG job)
or the easier way...ream out the core in each bolt hole, epoxy the
holes shut and then drill new bolt holes to accept the new, 1/4"
longer bolts for those backing plates you are installing. Bed the deck
gear, smear bedding on the shaft of the bolts, and bed the backing
plate. Dog down everything "finger tight". Let the bedding "set up"
from a day to a week (covered if necessary due to weather) and then
dog down tight to complete the seal. Trim any excess with a razor
knife.

You have now a much better chance of keeping water belowdecks, out of
the core itself (it's now completely "plugged" from the bolthole), and
you have strengthened the fitting substantially.

Many books and websites go into this in greater detail, but that's the
"core", pardon the pun.

Best of luck,
R.