Sticker Shock

[sailaway78]

As I put the boat back together, I have been looking and checking on everything and anything that even remotely needs to be given attention. The backing plate under the pedestal looks a little iffy, so I went to the Edson site today to check out and order some parts and pieces. First the screws that hold the pedestal in place. 12 bucks each. Right 12. Not 12 bucks for four, but 12 bucks each. For a lousy 3/8" aluminum screw. Then I checked out the backing plate. It only comes with the sheaves, and that little puppy is 300 +. It's not exotic metal, cause the one in my boat is rusted. It's only about 6" x 6", so I'm gonna get a piece of 1/2" aluminum and make myself one. And last but not least, I saw a high tech carbon fiber steering wheel. Yours in 35" diameter for a paltry 4700. Of course you can drop over 5K if you want a slightly larger wheel. If I wasn't capable of doing 99% of my own work, I would just have to quit boating.

 

[rpwillia]

NNE You are on to somthing

Many of the parts that we need sometimes we can make ourselves. For the alumuinum screws have you checked a hardware store, online, or just considered using SS with anti-sieze compound. I definitely applaud your effort to get to everything while you can. Anytime it is possible to make something myself I always look at the cost benefit ratio.

Of course if I am really stumped I think about what PaulJ, MS or Roger would do. :dance:

 

[wonkodsane]

And I thought $8 for a sail track stop was excessive.

Get yourself these books and make a mold with the old one, pour new from aluminum scrap, polish it up and anodize it with hydrochloric acid and a battery charger. (-:

-Scott

 

[woodster]

try sailors exchange in st augastien .....904 808 0667 ...they had one about two months ago and may still have it ...the trunion plate .......also try dons salvage in clearwater 727 576 8577

regards

woody

 

[sailaway78]

Home Depot

I went to HD, and bought them in stainless for 3 bucks each. Will find a piece of scrap aluminum for the backing plate.

 

[Ross]

Re: Home Depot

Phillip, Teflon pipe joint compound in the cans with a brush is perhaps the best anti-sieze compound for cold and wet threads. In a test that I ran with plain steel bolts and nuts with the threads painted with pipe joint compound after two years at the base of the mailbox post with winter salt and dogs lifting a leg, the threads were still bright and the nuts could be unscrewed without tools.

 

[zeehag]

Phillip, Teflon pipe joint compound in the cans with a brush is perhaps the best anti-sieze compound for cold and wet threads. In a test that I ran with plain steel bolts and nuts with the threads painted with pipe joint compound after two years at the base of the mailbox post with winter salt and dogs lifting a leg, the threads were still bright and the nuts could be unscrewed without tools.

ross--when do you publish your curmudgeons practical guide to repairing whatever???/--you have the best tests you do---unique yet practical---fun to read!!! is a good thing stuff can be fabricated for less than the going rate plus 400 percent markup rates--yipes--we would all be having flat walletitis....

 

[thereisabelle]

look at the head of the bolt from HD, no lines.. low grade! 3 lines.. better. and so on.
maybe cosider going metric. you may have to drill or ream the holes out larger. you may find it easier to find some salvage 10mm. anyone ever buy a flat screen mounting kit? you know the rest. if you could find some alum. hex stock and a small lathe, making bolts would be a snap.( no pun intended) jimbob

 

[RichH]

www.manasquanfasteners.com ... for a lot of 'ODD-BALL' bolts, etc., also in 'exotic materials'. A good source for 316 SS fasteners.