Drilling through the deck

[Peter]

I'm getting ready to drill through the deck of my Hunter 18.5 in order to install a deck organizer to bring the main halyard back to the cockpit, run a downhaul for the mainsail, and bring the furling line back to the cockpit. I'm trying to make the boat ready for singlehanded sailing. My question is, what precautions do I need to take before drilling? I suspect that I'm being overly cautious, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'm sure that many of you have done similar things to your boat, and would appreciate any advice on possible problems or things to beware of before drilling through the deck. The main halyard comes out of the mast at deck height on the starboard side, and I will position the organizer so that the lines run straight back between the shroud turnbuckles and lift top at the companionway. I will then fit a triple rope clutch just starboard of the companionway opening. Would appreciate any advice, suggestions, warnings, thoughts, or whatever that you have. Thanks for your help. I have found the advice given here to be excellent, and it's greatly appreciated. Peter S/V Katy Kaye, Geneva, Ohio

 

[Dave Condon]

Drilling

I remember vidily the first time drilling through the deck and was very nervous. Therefore, I can understand your apprehension. first use a bit the size of the bolt. You may have to use the next larger size. It is wise to drill with a small bit first to see where it goes. Inside the boat, look to see if the headliner is solid. If it is solid, then you are fine. If not, you will have to secure at the underneath of the deck from inside. Two suggestions. Get a small stainless steel rod that the bolt can go through and insert into cieling. Use a washer and nut to secure the bolt. Use the shortest bolt as possible to protude just past the inner liner or you may bump your head and Yell !!!! if you run into long ones. The other option is to remove a small portion of the head liner and cover with a plastic cover availble in good hardware stores.Craxy Dave Codnon

 

[Jay Hill]

If you have to go all the way through...

...be sure to add acorn nuts to the finishing touches. I'm not familiar with the smaller boats, but my H31 has stainless steel plate inside the deck around the mast step; I did not have to drill all the way through. ON a smaller boat, just as Crazy Dave says, if you go through use the right size bolt or use any size then cut with Dremmel tool. Leave enough to cap with acorn nut. Unless unsightly or impossible, be sure to mount the deck organizer at an angle so lines are not fed at 90 degrees to reduce drag. See "Single-Handing an H31..." in the Photo Forum.

 

[Bart Nester]

Same Boat

Peter,I am facing the same problem. My 18.5 is not set up to singlehand, and I have gone so far as to buy the hardware for the modification. The main differences between our plans are that I will use a pair of cam cleats instead of clutches, I will move the winch from the mast to the deck (near the jib cam cleat), and I don't need to run furling lines for the jib. Since my boat is so clean, I am hesitant to make any changes (even for convenience). Drilling holes in my boat is very intimidating! Since the 18.5 has a headliner, the current plan is to drill the first holes to the size of the bolts. If things look good, I'll just bolt on the hardware (with a backing plate). If there looks to be weakness in the deck (rot, void, anything "iffy"), I'll over-drill the holes, fill with epoxy, redrill to bolt size and mount the hardware. This may be overkill, but I'll have more confidence that I can crank on the halyard without pulling something loose.I would be interested to hear what you, or anyone else, thinks.