I just bought a 1990 Hunter 28 and the surveyor noted a dead short in the running lights. The stern rail that holds the wiring for the stern light was broken so I suspected that was my short and I was correct. So I removed the rail to inspect the issue and there is a hollow threaded bolt with a fixed nut that is used to attach the rail to the boat from inside the cockpit locker and the wire feeds through that hole. I cannot find this hollow bolt anywhere and really don't know what to search for. I keep finding those stupid threaded lamp bolts. It is essentially that but stainless steel and isn't the same thread and much thicker. I can easily just put another bold on there and drill a hole for a new stern light and call it a day but thought I would ask if anyone knew where to get the part. Honestly I am not keen on the design, it likely broke because it was hollow but if I could keep the existing stern light without a visible wire showing that would be nice. Thanks.
stern pulpit rail hardware
- Thread starter ManicFarmer
- Start date
Long shot but is it a vented bolt? Can you provide a photo with dimensions and head type (flat, hex, etc.)?
Looking at photos of vented bolts I don't think that is it. I called a company down here that specializes in marine hardware and they referred me to a custom fabricator but that is just overkill for this dumb bolt. I pulled it out to bring it home and left it in the cockpit...arghhhh. Boat is an hour and a half away so probably going to just settle with rail fitting and call it a day. It won't match but at least it will be secure.
Basically the it is a threaded rod but it is hollow. About 1 inch from the bottom there is a nut (probably glued on) fixed to the rod that doesn't move that is used to thread the bolt into the post. Sounds like Hunter fabricated this bolt for this use and sounds like it was a really dumb idea.