leading lines back

[bee bednar]

I want to bring the reefing line, the outhaul and the toping lift line back to the cockpit. To do this, I must install a triple deck organizer and lineclutch. The problem is the headliner. Any adviceon how to through bolt without cracking theheadliner?ThanksBee

 

[Bob E.]

Use plastic plugs

You shouldn't rely on the liner for strength for the fasteners. Most marine stores sell white plastic plugs in various diameters, 1", 1-1/2", etc. So buy a few plugs in a convenient size, use a hole saw to make the correct size hole for the plug in the head liner, then drill on center and through bolt the hardware for the line organizer to the deck. I recommend using the largest plugs you can, to allow oversize washers to be used as backing plates for the bolts. Keep the bolts short so the plugs can fit properly into the holes in the head liner. The result isn't too bad cosmetically. Be sure to use marine sealant to keep water from entering through the deck.Good luck.

 

[Torrence Jenkins]

In Process

Hi Bee. I also have a 26.5 that I'm settnig up for a spinnaker. In order to fly it I will putting in a winch and a deck organizer on the port side. Supposedly there is an aluminum plate under the area's where I'm going to be placing the equipment. Opposite the equipment installed on the starboard side. If you can wait about a month I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.Cheers TJ

 

[Mark]

Cored deck or Solid Laminate??

What ever yu do, after you have drilled through the deck, check under the gel coat /fiberglas to see if your deck is cored material (either end grained balsa, marine plywood or foam) or solid laminate. If cored material, route out the coring, an area about 1/4-1/2 inch larger that the hole with a bent nail. Plug the hole frm underneath and fill the hole with epoxy. After the epoxy dries drill out the hole again. Not only does this provide more strength at the hole but it keeps water from soaking into the cored area and delaminating, becoming soft and eventually dripping inside the cabin. The above procedure is nicely explained in the West Systems catelog which you can get for free by either writing to them (address in most sailing magazines) or visiting their web site and requesting a copy. Go to www.sailingindex.com, click on commercial, and explore from there. You'll eventually find West System epoxysHave funMark Whitson