cheek block install for h31 help

[Patrick Kevane]

last week i tried to change the jib sheet cheek block on my hunter 31 the holes don't line up with the old ones . I took the old bolts out and it looks like they are tapped into a plate of metal that is in the fiber glass.Do I try to tapp the new holes or drill thru the metal and the fiberglass and use a baching plate

 

[Steve Dion]

Is there access?

Patrick:Is there access to this area? I cannot remember? If there is you could redrill and use backing plates. Many of these areas on the H'31 do have metal under the fiber glass. Another option is to contact someone like Garhauer Marine and have them custom drill a couple of cheek block. There price will probably be less that what you already purchased too.

 

[Tim Leighton]

BELIEVE THERE IS ACCESS

I replaced my cheek blocks w/ Harkens a few years ago and don't remember there being any problem getting access to the bolts. Difficult repairs/improvements to TIDE usually are indellibly etched in my mind so I'm pretty comfortable with that advice. As I recall, I got access to the stbd one from the fuel tank locker and the port one from the aft cabin.Good luck!Tim (S/V "TIDE")