Lining of an Oday 240

[Namaste]

I have recently purchased a O 240 and was curious about the treatment of the bolts and fasteners through the exterior to the interior. It appears that all fasteners come through the FG and liner, and have a washer and lock nut snugged down. It seems odd to me that they would sandwich the fabric between the washer and nut. Doesn't this invite leaking or wicking into the interior? No matter how tight the locknut is, there is still a layer of fabric between it and the hull.

 

[flyhop]

Bolts through headliner

The fabric should not invite leaking nor wick moisture through the deck. Your deck hardware should be sealed to the deck with some type of sealant (i.e. silicone). If the deck hardware was bedded correctly, then water should not leak down the bolt shaft, let alone seap into the cabin. It's not a matter of the snugness of the bolt/nut; it has to do with the sealant, in particular, where it comes into contact between your hardware and your deck. If appropriately sealed, then no amount of fabric could wick moisture through the deck core. Depending on the age of your boat, it may have been sometime since the deck hardware was attended. Check out Don Casey's book "Sailboat Deck and Hull Repair" for a quick rundown on how to check your deck hardware bedding and then repair as necessary.