The bow ring on my Mac 21 is loose. How can I tighten it? There is no access to the nuts holding it from inside the hull.
Bow ring
- Thread starter onetake
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No access? Is there a bulkhead or some kind of anchor locker in the way? I'd thats the case, install an access plate that screws off. I can't imagine there being no way to get up there. Send an inside pic.
I dont think you can tighten it, when its loose it because it breaking away. If its what i am thinking about, its glassed in, and when it starts to loosen, its because the glass round it is breaking.
The inner liner at the bow covers the part you need to get at. You will need to cut an access hole through the inner liner and then make yourself a nice cover (from wood?) to put over it after you are finished.
I believe most of the bow ring's were supported in behind the glass with a piece of wood and then they just put washers on the back side of the U bolt to hold it in. Before you end up pulling the U bolt through the glass, cut yourself a hole and take the U bolt out and put a backing plate on it.
I cut a heavy gauge 2" pipe about a foot long in half lengthwise on my bandsaw and then drilled holes in it for the U bolt. I put the U bolt back in the original holes, then through the "half=pipe" backing plate and tightened it all up. The glass is very thick at the bow, so now with the pipe as a backing plate, my bow eye is VERY strong.
I just had a look and I guess I don't have pictures, but if my explanation isn't clear enough and you would like I can take some and share.
If you scroll down you can see how I accessed my boweye. I cut a round hole and put a stainless steel backing plate behind the nuts and used 5200 to seal it. I added the access hatch to cover it up. http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=112646
Here is my access panel, just a simple piece of wood held on by four screws.
I often wonder why some who don't understand have a need to make a comment.
I often wonder why some who don't understand have a need to make a comment.
Here is a picture of my reinforcement. That is a piece of thick walled galvanized pipe.
<Edit> Almost forgot - that is 5200 oozing out from behind the pipe.
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Nice job Njwtech.......good idea. My 25 had a piece of wood glassed in that was rotted out. I replaced with composite decking and epoxied in. My access hole could have been a touch higher. Wood cover looks nice Timebandit. I concur about the posts that aren't useful. I have lost interest in these forums for that reason.
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Yeah, but this group aint as bad as some I've seen: pure stupidity. Here, at least I learn stuff: like this, for instance.
I have this same problem in my boat. Was planning on hatching it like TB did, but was way off about what the backing plate should be like. What I had in mind would have been way too small and flimsy.
I can see how (and now, why) you guys are making your backing plates out of tube and the like: that's gotta be stronger than what I had in mind.
When I see a guy doing something better than I'm doing it, I copy him. No shame.
I have this same problem in my boat. Was planning on hatching it like TB did, but was way off about what the backing plate should be like. What I had in mind would have been way too small and flimsy.
I can see how (and now, why) you guys are making your backing plates out of tube and the like: that's gotta be stronger than what I had in mind.
When I see a guy doing something better than I'm doing it, I copy him. No shame.
Just as I copied the galvanized tube idea from someone else...When I see a guy doing something better than I'm doing it, I copy him. No shame.
Just can't remember where I got it from, but I'm pretty sure it was in this forum If the originator of the idea is looking - please come and claim your rightful kudos. Thanks for all the sound and practical advice. I think I can take of the problem now that I know what it is.
My guess would be that the space for the anchor rode would be made accessible topside by way of an opening on the deck, secured by an access hatch. Is this correct?
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?3227/Hinged Chain Deck Pipe or
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?3250/Rope Deck Pipe
or http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?3229/Chain Deck Pipe will provide a way to get the rode into and out of the new locker at very good prices.
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?3250/Rope Deck Pipe
or http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?3229/Chain Deck Pipe will provide a way to get the rode into and out of the new locker at very good prices.
The 3rd one down is what I used. I took the opportunity to install a bow platform to store my anchor. The rode does not cause a smell below because it is suspended in a mesh bag that allows it to dry out. It is also kind of a pain to feed the rode down the deck opening. But having 200 ft of 3 strand 1/2 inch anchor line immediately available, yet out of the way otherwise is a good thing. My first 10 feet or so is a length of SS chain so no sun damage to the rode. I reverse the ends every year.....
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