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#1
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Deck fittings
Hello,
I bought a space sailer 22 last week (for those that don't know this is a 22 foot masthead fibreglass keelboat). I am looking to set the boat up for racing but the previous few owners of the boat did not race her so some of the fittings have disappered. The main thing that was missing in terms of racing were the spinnaker blocks on the gunwale near the stern (the blocks the spinnaker sheets turn through before leaving to the pole and spinnaker). There were however stainless steel saddles on each gunwale. These appear to be through bolted with washers on the underside but no backing plate. 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. Thanks, Tim |
#2
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Without looking at it, no one can really guess as to whether or not your
padeyes or whatever they are can do the job, however, if the boat was commonly rigged with a spinnaker, and all that appears to be missing are a set of snatch blocks for the sheets, it's unlikely that someone bothered to remove backing plates for any reason, and from there one can perhaps infer that the manufacturer felt the lay-up was at least adequate light air spinnaker use...... If indeed the saddles are for the spinnaker sheets, then one could expect to find some sort of cleat, or jam cleat a little forward of them (or winches in the case of a larger boat). Good luck, Jonathan Tim wrote: Hello, I bought a space sailer 22 last week (for those that don't know this is a 22 foot masthead fibreglass keelboat). I am looking to set the boat up for racing but the previous few owners of the boat did not race her so some of the fittings have disappered. The main thing that was missing in terms of racing were the spinnaker blocks on the gunwale near the stern (the blocks the spinnaker sheets turn through before leaving to the pole and spinnaker). There were however stainless steel saddles on each gunwale. These appear to be through bolted with washers on the underside but no backing plate. 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. Thanks, Tim -- I am building a Dudley Dix, Argie 10, for my daughter. Check it out: http://home.comcast.net/~jonsailr |
#3
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#4
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#5
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And what is recommended to bed with for deck hardware, specifically
winches, cleats and genoa track? 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. |
#6
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Polysulfides such as Lifecaulk are OK, but a pain to clean up. The two-stage
tightening described earlier is a good idea. I prefer traditional bedding compound such as Dolphinite or Bedlast. They stay pliable. Two-stage tightening is not needed. IF YOU EVER MIGHT WANT TO REMOVE THE HARDWARE, DON'T USE 3M 5200. Dan wrote: And what is recommended to bed with for deck hardware, specifically winches, cleats and genoa track? 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. |
#7
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On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 09:12:16 -0400, Dan wrote:
And what is recommended to bed with for deck hardware, specifically winches, cleats and genoa track? ============================================= Any good polysulfide bedding compound will be OK. Several tips that have worked for me: 1. Counter sink the top of the screw holes about 1/16 to 3/32nds of an inch. When you do the final tightening a small amount of bedding compound will be forced into the recess and form an O-ring. 2. Prevent the hardware from twisting in the deck hole while tightening. Twisting will pull away the bedding compound from where it is needed. Tighten from below while someone on deck secures the top end. 3. Mask off the deck and/or fitting and clean up the excess compound with WD-40. 4. Wait several days before final tightening; trim off the squeeze out with a razor blade or sharp utility knife. |
#8
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I use 3M 4200 or Sikiflex 231, whatever is cheaper. I have had acceptable (meaning I renew the bedding every five years or so) and leak-free results with that, and it hard freezes here in January and February, although covering the boat with a canvas tarp helps a lot. On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 09:12:16 -0400, Dan wrote: And what is recommended to bed with for deck hardware, specifically winches, cleats and genoa track? Genoa track is troublesome, only because it's a lot of work to properly seal the core with thickened epoxy. It's better, if messier, in my opinion, to do the following: Cut out from below all of the lower skin and balsa core. It's likely sponge and rot, anyway. Save the lower skin. Encapsulate marine grade plywood of the appropriate thickness. When set up, carefully drill oversized bolt holes that correspond to the (usually 1/4") genoa track holes on deck. Epoxy these holes (3/8" - 1/2" is good). You should now have essentially a waterproofed plank with waterproofed bolt holes. Glass the wood (usually in several pieces to conform to the curve of the topsides...YMMV) into place. Avoid leaving voids and be aware this is a messy frickin' job. Glass the lower skin back into place. The holes should line up...not important if they don't. Sand, grind or finish to your level of tolerance G. Drill bolt holes through epoxied plugs in glassed in plywood. Bed and bolt. Use backing plates (one per two or three bolts is easy to shape and place. Bed the plates. Even if you tear out the genoa track (unlikely as this part of the deck is likely stronger than any other), you should be able to repair the "core" easily. Sound good? My biggest problem was finding 1 1/4" T-track with 3" centers...they don't make it anymore and I didn't want to do the entire track, just butt a new piece into place and replace the core beneath. R. |
#9
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Thanks everyone. The core under this genoa track is plywood and apears
to be in good shape. The PO removed the track to paint the deck and bent the track in half. When I straitened it, of course, it broke. so I need new track. No big deal, just more $$$$ I have to re-core the deck as it is so when I get to the cap rail, if it is soaked, I'll pull it off from the top also. I have already over-drilled the holes for the cleates and the winches and filled them with epoxy. I have drilled a starter hole with a center drill to mark the spot, so to speak, and will finish drilling after the deck is painted. Thanks for the input, Dan I use 3M 4200 or Sikiflex 231, whatever is cheaper. I have had acceptable (meaning I renew the bedding every five years or so) and leak-free results with that, and it hard freezes here in January and February, although covering the boat with a canvas tarp helps a lot. On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 09:12:16 -0400, Dan wrote: And what is recommended to bed with for deck hardware, specifically winches, cleats and genoa track? Genoa track is troublesome, only because it's a lot of work to properly seal the core with thickened epoxy. It's better, if messier, in my opinion, to do the following: Cut out from below all of the lower skin and balsa core. It's likely sponge and rot, anyway. Save the lower skin. Encapsulate marine grade plywood of the appropriate thickness. When set up, carefully drill oversized bolt holes that correspond to the (usually 1/4") genoa track holes on deck. Epoxy these holes (3/8" - 1/2" is good). You should now have essentially a waterproofed plank with waterproofed bolt holes. Glass the wood (usually in several pieces to conform to the curve of the topsides...YMMV) into place. Avoid leaving voids and be aware this is a messy frickin' job. Glass the lower skin back into place. The holes should line up...not important if they don't. Sand, grind or finish to your level of tolerance G. Drill bolt holes through epoxied plugs in glassed in plywood. Bed and bolt. Use backing plates (one per two or three bolts is easy to shape and place. Bed the plates. Even if you tear out the genoa track (unlikely as this part of the deck is likely stronger than any other), you should be able to repair the "core" easily. Sound good? My biggest problem was finding 1 1/4" T-track with 3" centers...they don't make it anymore and I didn't want to do the entire track, just butt a new piece into place and replace the core beneath. R. |
#10
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Dan,
You might check out Garhauer for your new hardware. I replaced my mainsheet rig, including traveler and track and saved a BUNCH when compared to the other brands. MMC "Dan" wrote in message ... Thanks everyone. The core under this genoa track is plywood and apears to be in good shape. The PO removed the track to paint the deck and bent the track in half. When I straitened it, of course, it broke. so I need new track. No big deal, just more $$$$ I have to re-core the deck as it is so when I get to the cap rail, if it is soaked, I'll pull it off from the top also. I have already over-drilled the holes for the cleates and the winches and filled them with epoxy. I have drilled a starter hole with a center drill to mark the spot, so to speak, and will finish drilling after the deck is painted. Thanks for the input, Dan I use 3M 4200 or Sikiflex 231, whatever is cheaper. I have had acceptable (meaning I renew the bedding every five years or so) and leak-free results with that, and it hard freezes here in January and February, although covering the boat with a canvas tarp helps a lot. On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 09:12:16 -0400, Dan wrote: And what is recommended to bed with for deck hardware, specifically winches, cleats and genoa track? Genoa track is troublesome, only because it's a lot of work to properly seal the core with thickened epoxy. It's better, if messier, in my opinion, to do the following: Cut out from below all of the lower skin and balsa core. It's likely sponge and rot, anyway. Save the lower skin. Encapsulate marine grade plywood of the appropriate thickness. When set up, carefully drill oversized bolt holes that correspond to the (usually 1/4") genoa track holes on deck. Epoxy these holes (3/8" - 1/2" is good). You should now have essentially a waterproofed plank with waterproofed bolt holes. Glass the wood (usually in several pieces to conform to the curve of the topsides...YMMV) into place. Avoid leaving voids and be aware this is a messy frickin' job. Glass the lower skin back into place. The holes should line up...not important if they don't. Sand, grind or finish to your level of tolerance G. Drill bolt holes through epoxied plugs in glassed in plywood. Bed and bolt. Use backing plates (one per two or three bolts is easy to shape and place. Bed the plates. Even if you tear out the genoa track (unlikely as this part of the deck is likely stronger than any other), you should be able to repair the "core" easily. Sound good? My biggest problem was finding 1 1/4" T-track with 3" centers...they don't make it anymore and I didn't want to do the entire track, just butt a new piece into place and replace the core beneath. R. |
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