Adding eye straps to C320 toe rail

[rickr104]

Hello -

I will be adding netting to my lifelines to keep my dog onboard. I'd like to anchor the bottom of the netting to the toe rail between the stanchions to make it more secure.

There are already a few eye straps screwed in to support zigzag lines that kept sails onboard when dropped. (I'm not racing this boat, so I use the furler & all the race sails that came with the boat are in my garage).

Can anyone advise me on any issues with drilling more holes and mounting more straps? is there a wooden stringer under the glass? How deep can you drill? (I will of course seal with 4200 or some such).

Thanks, and I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get outfitted to get off the dock more this summer.

Happy Sailing!

Rick

 

[jssailem]

Welcome Rick.
You deck is sandwich of top and bottom fiberglass with a core material in the middle. Likely balsa wood but may be plywood with some areas that have a metal (aluminum) as backing plate. In the areas of wood core, you want to drill through the top layer of fiberglass, clear out some of the wood beneath the hole than fill the hole with thickened epoxy. Form a water tight plug, then you can drill a hole in the center to take a screw. Check out the video on West System about epoxy filled holes.

This gives you a good place to run a screw yet the core is saved from water and rot.

 

[JoeWhite]

If it was my boat I would do all that I can to avoid drilling holes.
I am not sure how big your dog is. I would think a 1/4" line at the bottom of the net that is woven into the net and tied to the stations should be enough to keep your pet on board. Additionally you can put the line inside a 1/2« PVC pipe then weave through the bottom of the net.
It will be removable one day without any holes on the deck.
Let us know what you decide.

 

[rickr104]

Hah! Totally agree - The drilling was making me nervous. I slept on it and decided to use 1/2" PVC conduit exactly like you describe. Should be much less work too.

Then I just read your excellent advice.

Izzy is a 50 pound medium dog. I think this will work well.

Thanks!

Rick

 

[Tally Ho]

Could you weave a rope through the holes (assume you have slotted aluminum toe rail) and through the bottom of the net?

Greg

 

[rickr104]

I do not have the slotted toe rail, or I would have definitely done that. Plastic pipe will be a great solution.

 

[rickr104]

I'll also add, as a new member here that just asked his first question, that I much appreciate multiple quick responses from you guys. I think this place will be a great resource!