Don't use self tapping screws. That is a poor way to attach deck
hardware and will likely create bigger problems down the road.

Agreed. And today I discovered that where I want to mount the pad eye is
accessible from both sides (on top of the deck and from underneath through the
bottom of the centerboard housing. All I need is a long extension on my socket
wrench and I can install a backing plate and nuts and bolts. And of course,
I'll seal every thing with marine epoxy.

Thanks for the advice


The Veridican

Veridican wrote:

Don't use self tapping screws. That is a poor way to attach deck
hardware and will likely create bigger problems down the road.

Agreed. And today I discovered that where I want to mount the pad eye is
accessible from both sides (on top of the deck and from underneath through the
bottom of the centerboard housing. All I need is a long extension on my socket
wrench and I can install a backing plate and nuts and bolts. And of course,
I'll seal every thing with marine epoxy.

Thanks for the advice

"Marine Epoxy" i.e. West System 105/205 or similar is not optimal for
use with the ACP construction of your Hunter. The issue is that the ACP
is basically plastic and is more flexible than a standard GRP fiberglass
construction. West System and most other epoxies cure to a fairly rigid
state and when the ACP flexes and the Epoxy doesn't you get cracks where
they separate. I've seen a number of repairs on JY 15s crack apart with
the flexing of the hull. There's a special flexible Epoxy called Plexus
that is best for use with ACP (you can probably get it through Hunter -
JY used to sell it before Hunter swallowed them)

In your case you're just looking for sealant, not strength, so epoxy is
overkill. A Marine sealant will be sufficient. 3M 5200 is probably the
best Marine sealant out there, although once you put something together
with it it's darn hard to get it back apart again. I'd recommend 3M
4200 (a less strong version of 5200) or plain old Silicone sealant.

One other tip: spend the extra 30 cents a nut and get stop nuts. That
way you won't have to go in and re-tighten the nuts every couple of
months.

Good luck with your repair.


--
//-Walt
//
//

Thanks for the info. Right now, I'm just using existing fittings and I think
they're going to work just fine. If not, I have access to install a backing
plate where I need to.

I guess I didn't mean epoxy. What I have is marine sealant. The Inspection
window is a good idea if all else fails. But that won't be the case in this
modification.

I tried to test out the hiking strap today (I'm only using one that goes down
the center of the boat) but the winds weren't strong enough, so I didn't have
enough opportunity. Tomorrow the winds are supposed to be a slight bit
stronger, so maybe I'll get a good try out.

Thanks again for the info.

Ed

Hiking straps.........we were sailing my Hobie cat off the east Fla. coast,
daughter and her boyfriend were hiked out. Old strap let go. I was looking
right at her , blinked and she was gone, the boyfriend started laughing
when, pop, his went too. They're both good swimmers. Gybed and picked them
up. still funny when I think about it.

Scotty

"EdGordonRN" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the info. Right now, I'm just using existing fittings and I
think
they're going to work just fine. If not, I have access to install a
backing
plate where I need to.

I guess I didn't mean epoxy. What I have is marine sealant. The Inspection
window is a good idea if all else fails. But that won't be the case in
this
modification.

I tried to test out the hiking strap today (I'm only using one that goes
down
the center of the boat) but the winds weren't strong enough, so I didn't
have
enough opportunity. Tomorrow the winds are supposed to be a slight bit
stronger, so maybe I'll get a good try out.

Thanks again for the info.

Ed

Don't 'seal' it with epoxy. The bolts should take the load to big
washers or backing plate and it should get sealed with a flexible
sealant. The reason is that you don't want corrosion under the fitting.

MC

Veridican wrote:

Don't use self tapping screws. That is a poor way to attach deck
hardware and will likely create bigger problems down the road.


Agreed. And today I discovered that where I want to mount the pad eye is
accessible from both sides (on top of the deck and from underneath through the
bottom of the centerboard housing. All I need is a long extension on my socket
wrench and I can install a backing plate and nuts and bolts. And of course,
I'll seal every thing with marine epoxy.

Thanks for the advice


The Veridican

Saint Thomas??