I am thinking of attaching a snatch block on the toe rail so I can hoist a dingy on deck with the the spinnaker halyard via the windlass drum. I see some people use snatch blocks on the rail for asymmetrical or spinnaker lines so I'm figuring the toe rail should be able to handle lifting a dinghy. Anyone ever bent or damaged the toe rail?
toe rail strength on beneteau 373
- Thread starter Stefan Gashus
- Start date
If your dinghy is an inflatable without a motor on it, it will probably weigh around 75 pounds, most of the load would be on the spin pole, and the block on the toerail is just acting as a turning block. its load will be spread along the toe rail, and shouldn't be an issue. A chute would probably exert more load than that at higher wind speeds. The chute would blow out before the rail bent.
That's what I'm thinking but it is pretty thin - no pole involved - just the halyard from the mast through block at the bottom of the mast to the snatch block to the windlass winch/drum. Was also thinking of clamping a small down rigger to the rail - I wonder if the Beneteau engineers considered these uses for the toe rail?...seems to be designed to attach blocks and clamps to it?
I believe that I put more shock load on my toe rail than anything hoisting a dinghy would do. I have attached two folding cleats to the rail on either side of the midship fairlead and use them to secure fore and aft spring lines. They have been used for nine years with no rail deformation and no pulling of bolts (screws).
I have occasionally attached snatch blocks as well to use as temporary jib leads.
I have occasionally attached snatch blocks as well to use as temporary jib leads.
The toerail on just about any boat is one of its strongest parts. (The stem is probably stronger.) The hull and deck coming together in the curve of the sheer make the hull-deck joint very solid structurally. The rail itself adds stiffening. Traditionally they are used for securing jibsheet leads and spinnaker guys that can have thousands of pounds of pressure on them. Lifting a dinghy should not be a problem unless it's a 15' oak dory filled with some 5000 pounds of water. I would be more worried about the snatch block exploding. Make sure it is a good sized one.
Folding cleats
Scott
I'm interested in the folding cleats that you mention. Do you remember where you got them?
Scott