S I do my annual beginning of the season cleaning I have been tightening up the toe rail. I can reach most of them though there are a few that may pose a challenge to get to. I am thinking of those in the chain locker particularly. In any case how tight should they be. I am currently tightening them by waiting till there is resistance and then making 1/3 turn more.
Toe rail bolts
- Thread starter MLampner
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Funny, when I tightened mine I never thought about the torque values for the bolts. If memory serves you mentioned you have carriage bolts, I have screws which limited the amount I could tighten the bolts, there would be a point where my helper could not keep the philips head from slipping off the screw.
As an aside, when I did that I also checked the bolts for the pulpit and stern rails, and to my horror they were extremely loose. Please check them for safety.
M
As an aside, when I did that I also checked the bolts for the pulpit and stern rails, and to my horror they were extremely loose. Please check them for safety.
M
Manny you are correct on my 30 the bolts are carriage bolts. In one of two cases I am afraid I may have stripped them by over tightening. Knowing the right amount of torque would be useful.
You are also correct the rail bolts further forward seem to be amongst the loosest. Sorry I didn't get back over Sunday, got called into the office. Plan to head out Saturday with a friend aboard if you are around please come join us.
You are also correct the rail bolts further forward seem to be amongst the loosest. Sorry I didn't get back over Sunday, got called into the office. Plan to head out Saturday with a friend aboard if you are around please come join us.
Thanks for the offer, but the admiral and the mutts are coming down, and as it stands we are going to make a run for Rock Hall to spend the night. I'll probably see u in the morning though.
Does the shop have the correct sized stainless carriage bolts? Or was it the square part in the rail that stripped (rounded)?
M
Does the shop have the correct sized stainless carriage bolts? Or was it the square part in the rail that stripped (rounded)?
M
Yes they are carriage bolts so it is possible to tighten them with only one person. Not sure if I'll be able to find replacements if need be but as I was working solo last weekend didn't actually look to see what happened. The other possibility I would guess is in addition to rounding the square surface, or stripping the threads is it was so loose when I started to turn it pushed up and the bolt is being locked.
Since I will have an extra pair of hands this weekend cn begin to check that out.
Since I will have an extra pair of hands this weekend cn begin to check that out.
Well have fun... I remember for the most part it was easy to reach most of the nuts, but some of the stern ones were a challenge wedging myself into the lazarettes while still giving some room for the helper on deck. It seemed like my arms needed at least two more sets of joints. For some reason, some of the anchor locker nuts were hard to reach also, never could figure out why.
One suggestion I'd like to offer, make sure you balance all the work you are doing with some sailing time
It's really easy to get lost in the projects - i'm guilty of that. So far weather looks good out our way this weekend (and it looks like the restaurant opened today also ).
M
One suggestion I'd like to offer, make sure you balance all the work you are doing with some sailing time
It's really easy to get lost in the projects - i'm guilty of that. So far weather looks good out our way this weekend (and it looks like the restaurant opened today also ).M
My general rule with things like this is to never put more torque on them past about one or two small grunts using the ratchet (just past 'hand-tight'). If it's loose later, I'll touch it again. Remember that the toerail is set in 5200 and it has to have enough bulk there to act as a gasket. After a certain point, overtorquing them is only going to squash what's left of the 5200 or, if it's a more recent installation, squeeze it all out (such as many people do with through-hulls). If it's not leaking, don't touch it. If it is leaking, loosen it, squeeze a little 5200 into it, and turn it till you have to go to the ratchet. Then, maybe 3/4 of a turn using the wrench and leave it be.
More than a few screws loose
Thanks John, more or less the way I am doing it. Have a number of them where its clear the toe rail is still adhered but the bolts are not tight. Heads a few 1/16s of an inch above the rail.
Will continue to gently tighten them. There do seem to be a lot of them!
Thanks John, more or less the way I am doing it. Have a number of them where its clear the toe rail is still adhered but the bolts are not tight. Heads a few 1/16s of an inch above the rail.
Will continue to gently tighten them. There do seem to be a lot of them!
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