striped stanchion screws

[Hayden Watson]

The two 1/4” x 2” machine screws that bolt the stanchion gate support to the rail on my ‘88 C30 are striped. When I saw that they were machine screws I thought there would be an aluminum backing plate cast into the deck, but this was not the case. Apparently the screws were just screwed into drilled holes. I looked inside the electrical panel to see if they came through but no luck.Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas on how to fix it.Thanks for any help. Hayden WatsonPapillonC30 tr/bsSpokane, WA

 

[John Visser]

Not stripped, just no nuts

The way my C-36 is put together, the screws have fender washers, lock washers, and nuts below the deck. There are no backing plates, and there is no drilled-and-tapped aluminum plate in the core as in the coach roof of newer models. I think yours just never had the washers and nuts installed. Look in the bilges. I've found lots of new SS hardware in mine.On the backing plate issue, I think this is overdone. I had stanchions bent all the way over and broken off at the welds on this boat with no backing plates - just fender washers and nuts - and the foot of the stanchion never moved, and there wasn't any damage to the deck. Four 1/4-20 screws with fender washers, locks and nuts will hold it on fine.jv

 

[Hayden Watson]

Clarification

I think I need to clarify what the problem is. The stanchion base is bolted on with a ½” bolt extending from the end of the stanchion and two ¼” through bolts through the base. The nuts for all of these bolts can be reached under the deck, just aft of the electrical panel. My problem is with the support that extends forward of the stanchion and is bolted into the bulwark. If these bolts came through the deck they would be inside the electrical panel but there is nothing there. I hope this helps to clarify my problem.Hayden WatsonS/V Papillon1988 C30 tr/bsSpokane, WA

 

[Bob Camarena]

Doesn't sound like my C-30

I have an '81 C-30, and I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Do the late 80's boats have something mine doesn't? My stanchions are all freestanding and only bolted to the deck at the base.

 

[Hayden Watson]

here is a picture

I looked at the earlier C30 brochures and see that the older models do not have the same stanchions as my 1988. The stanchion I am having problems with is the first one in front of the gate on the starboard side. It is about even with the front of the cockpit. This one has a support that extends off the front of the stanchion and goes down to the fiberglass bulwark so that the tension on the lifelines does not bend the stanchion when the gate is open. The support base is so close to the edge of the deck that it doesn’t come through to the inside.To see what it looks like look at the picture on the attached link.Thanks again.