Installing a Lewmar D1 Rope Clutch

[...3TacksontheWater]

On the old to do list is installing Lewmar's D1 clutches on the cabin top. My handrail is a four (4) loop version so there should be room for the two (2) line model. I read on Stingy Sailor that he used 3.5" long bolts to mount his on his older C-22. For those of you who have the New Design, does this measurement hold true? I will be ordering 6mm Stainless Steel Bolts but would like to confirm the length needed before I drill holes in the cabin. Thank you in advance for your replies.
George

 

[ambler]

I installed cam cleats on the cabintop behind the grab rails. Mine is 1983 so I can’t help with the bolt length. I drilled the holes oversize and filled with epoxy. I didn’t notice that one of the holes (outboard on the starboard side) passed through an open space between the cabin top and the headliner in the cabin. I kept pouring in more expoxy trying to fill it and then discovered the epoxy had run out and dripped inside the cabin. I did fill it by allowing small amounts to firm up and then add more. I’m not sure there is a wood core in the cabintop so oversize drilling the holes may have been overkill.
Jack

 

[AaronD]

My distant memory is for an 1981, so perhaps not relevant to your New Design. And it is a very distant memory; but if I recall correctly, the cabin roof thickness varied, and I ended up using at least 2 different lengths (and still different lengths for deck organizers and other hardware elsewhere on the deck).

Some builders buy overlong bolts and cut them off with a Dremel - 3.5" should be more than enough if you want to go that route. I took the route of stocking the shop with way too much 316 stainless, so I have bolts on hand of almost any useful size...