Does anybody know what the optimal tool/combination of tools is/are to tighten the toe rail screws. Ed, I remember that you recommended a vice-grips on the nut below, a large screw driver above and a vice grips on the screw driver, so that you turn the vice-grips on the screwdriver, while leaning on the screw driver from the deck. Is that correct? Has anyone had any luck doing anything else? I'm going to try to tighten a few that leak and probably all of them, if I don't go nuts in the process. Any tips on this project would be greatly appreciated. Saving a couple minutes on each nut could add up to hours when you factor in how many there are.
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Ed's way.
As you know Josh, except when you are here, I almost always work alone. The optimum way is to hold the bolt while turning the nut. This way you are not breaking any seals that may exist. To do this you will need: a helper, a small ratchet, an extension(maybe two, one flexible), a universal, and very deep sockets. It takes a 7/16" for the stanchion bolts and 1/2" for the toe rail bolts. Working alone I lock on vise grips and turn from above. The vise grips have to be attached so that they wedge against the hull. Sometimes I can't get in there with the vise grips. Then it is a box end wrench and duct tape. Yep, up and down the ladder one at a time every six inches for 74 feet! I turn from above with vise grips on a very large phillips screwdriver. Whichever way you do it try doing several, some may not need holding. I have had some bent ones. Those I remove and replace. Tightening works for me, I have never contemplated removing the toe rail. Terrible thought!
As you know Josh, except when you are here, I almost always work alone. The optimum way is to hold the bolt while turning the nut. This way you are not breaking any seals that may exist. To do this you will need: a helper, a small ratchet, an extension(maybe two, one flexible), a universal, and very deep sockets. It takes a 7/16" for the stanchion bolts and 1/2" for the toe rail bolts. Working alone I lock on vise grips and turn from above. The vise grips have to be attached so that they wedge against the hull. Sometimes I can't get in there with the vise grips. Then it is a box end wrench and duct tape. Yep, up and down the ladder one at a time every six inches for 74 feet! I turn from above with vise grips on a very large phillips screwdriver. Whichever way you do it try doing several, some may not need holding. I have had some bent ones. Those I remove and replace. Tightening works for me, I have never contemplated removing the toe rail. Terrible thought!
Don't over tighten
I was told by the Hunter people that there is a gasket, or a foam pad between the deck and hull. If you over tighten, then you over compress the gasket, and eventually it may stay compressed and end up leaking more. Just tighten it a little bit at a time until the existing leak is gone. If you over compress the gasket, then to fix that, you will have to replace it, and that is lots of work.
I was told by the Hunter people that there is a gasket, or a foam pad between the deck and hull. If you over tighten, then you over compress the gasket, and eventually it may stay compressed and end up leaking more. Just tighten it a little bit at a time until the existing leak is gone. If you over compress the gasket, then to fix that, you will have to replace it, and that is lots of work.
I'm a tool dropper
...so when I did this work in areas behind the settee and elsewhere I had to tie a string to the tool and make sure it was long enough that when I accidentally dropped the tool behind the cabinetry, the string remained hanging over the edge and I could retrieve it. Otherwise, it was goodby tool. Also, if you have a crew mate to help, it makes it go a lot faster with one person on deck and another below. (That's the sort of obvious thing it took me a while to figure out). Good luck S.
...so when I did this work in areas behind the settee and elsewhere I had to tie a string to the tool and make sure it was long enough that when I accidentally dropped the tool behind the cabinetry, the string remained hanging over the edge and I could retrieve it. Otherwise, it was goodby tool. Also, if you have a crew mate to help, it makes it go a lot faster with one person on deck and another below. (That's the sort of obvious thing it took me a while to figure out). Good luck S.
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