I'm purchasing a 2001 361 called La Paloma. The pulpit and pushpit have to be rebedded along with all the stantions. I have spider cracks under most of the pulpit and pushpit rail bases. The bases are really small. Only about 1/4 in wider than the rail. I'm thinking about adding polished fender washers under each rail above deck. Figure this will help distribute the load and prevent further cracking. It will also cut down on gelcoat time as the washers will cover a lot of the cracks. Will also add larger washers underneath the deck where possible. Sounds like butly tape is the go-to bedding compound on this forum.
Beneteau 361 Fender Washers Under the Pulpit and Pushpit?
- Thread starter richpinto72
- Start date
That may not be a good solution.
If you could even locate stainless steel fender washers, they would probably still have to be welded to the stanchion and pulpit bases to provide any sufficient added support.The stanchions are still going to flex. People lean against them and the boat itself flexes
Also if you are planning on fixing the gelcoat spider cracks, which are primarily a cosmetic issue, my suggestion would be to do it right instead of trying to hide them.
Others my disagree orhave a better solution.
If you could even locate stainless steel fender washers, they would probably still have to be welded to the stanchion and pulpit bases to provide any sufficient added support.The stanchions are still going to flex. People lean against them and the boat itself flexes
Also if you are planning on fixing the gelcoat spider cracks, which are primarily a cosmetic issue, my suggestion would be to do it right instead of trying to hide them.
Others my disagree orhave a better solution.
I pulled the whole pushpit and I actually have some laminate damage. Going to fix, gelcoat and rebed with butyl.
R
R
s/s fender washers are a recommended backing plate substitute for heavy stress fittings like davits or c ranes, per a number of davit manufacturers like well respected Forespar and Kato Marine. Putting an extra set of washers on top after you fill the cracks avoids a lot of fiberglas work and gives a firmer bearing surface for the stanchion bottom feet. . but what caused the hairline cracks in the fiberglas at stanchion base in the 1st place? if the stanchions did not remain firmly fixed by through bolting into backing plates or washers below deck , they'd wobble during use and could cause some fiberglas cracking.