Backing plates.

[Jesse]

I was going to do some work on the cam cleats on my 240 the other day and when I took the inspection port (?) off, I noticed that nothing had backing plates on them, including the cleats, eye strap that the centerboard line attaches to or the winch. Is this normal? Should I put backing plates on them and if so, what material should I use?

 

[Steve Dion]

Get rid of any damn boat without backing plates.

NOTJessie:I believe that if you remove the screws that hold on any of the hardware that you mentioned you will see that they have machine screws. These screws are screwed into aluminum backing plates that are glassed into the hull.If you do find a wood screw holding something on the you mite consider using a backing plate.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

backing plates

Where you see machine screws with no backing plates or nuts, then figure that metal is encapusulated in the glass. As for wood screws into glass, generally speaking there is not much stress and/or pulling. You should be fine.Crazy Dave lCondon

 

[Jesse]

You're absolutely right.

Upon closer inspection, there are plates embedded in the glass - - - so OK, I'll wear my glasses next time.  On another topic, back when I was trying to decide which boat to buy, I recall reading a lot of articles in this forum about the cam cleats on the 240 and how the jib sheets would pop out of the cleats because of the angle the sheet entered the cleat. Some solved this porblem by raising the cleat or changing the angle of the cleat or both. The cam cleats on my 240 are made by Ronstan and they are size medium. Ronstan makes a rope guide that fits under the cam cleat (BoatUS sells them for $4.49 each, Item #333507 at boatus.com) that might solve the problem. I just installed them on my boat and I believe it's going to do the trick.

 

[Brad Amundson]

Cam Cleats

I believe this issue has been resolved with the 2001's? Thats what Hunter is telling me anyway. It might be interesting to see what their engineers have come up with. There are some photo's in archive in this site that might help if your fix does not succeed.