Why pan head screws on the toe rail?

[Nelsonhow]

I finally decided to chase down several toe rail leaks on my old H-30. I started from the stern and snugged up almost all of the screws underside with my son holding a screwdriver from the deck. Several were very loose.

This was not all that easy especially since several of the nuts were frozen and several sheared due to obvious corrosion.


Although it's done I have 2 questions.

First why on earth don't sailboat builders use regular hex bolts on deck fittings?

If it looks why not use carriage bolts which would be flush on the deck and would be simple to tighten from the underside?

Am I I crazy?

 

[MLampner]

Actually my 77 Hunter does use carriage bolts, not sure why anyone would use something else.

 

[Mark Pettus]

Same here. I removed mine in December -- all carriage bolts -- to repair some dock rash and I was wishing for hex heads to make tightening easier.