Hi!
As is often the case, a very simple project turned into a bit more than i could handle. Tired of trying to single handedly dock with a springline tied around my midships stanchion, I finally decided to get some midship cleats. Catalina Direct has some nice stainless steel 8" cleats that fit directly on the outboard genoa track which I thought would work nicely.
While the cleat would immediately slide on the the port track, halfway up the track it would get stuck on some of the outboard track bolts that were not completely flush. I couldn't really tighten the bolts to get them flush, so I thought about it and stared at it for a while until I did the next logical thing; I wailed like hell on it with a ball peen hammer and a piece 2x4.
This seemed to work to get past the problematic bolt, but it got stuck 3 or 4 more times on its way up the track to amidships. Each time, the trusty two by for and a good deal of aggression 'fixed' this.
So, when it came time to do the starboard side and the cleat immediately got stuck on the first bolt, I decided to not be a neanderthal, and try to solve this problem in a manner more befitting to an educated, reasonably intelligent man. I decided to start at the forward end of the genoa track.
I actually tried this first on the port side but there's a locking track stopper at the front of the track as shown in the 1st picture below. Presumably, this is so the sheets don't rip the outboard cars completely off the track if they're not fully locked into place. I tried the machine bolt on the port side stopper but it barely budged, so the past of least resistance said work from the unlocked stern forward.
So, fresh out of ideas, I absentmindedly started unscrewing the machine bolt that locks the starboard track stopper into place. It unscrewed easily. Much easier than the port side. So I kept unscrewing until I hear the unmistakable metallic clink of a nut and maybe washer falling off the end of the machine screw. No big deal, right? So I forge ahead. The stopper comes off, the cleat, of course... gets stuck on the first... fricking.... bolt.
So I spend the next ten minutes beating the hell out of it with hammer until the cleat happily slid free and is semi-adjustable amidships.
Which brings us to now.
I have since scoured around every opening in the trim I could find for _some_ way to get to the foremost outboard track bolt. While my port cabinet has nice little access hatch (3rd picture, perhaps it was rebuilt by P/O?), you can *just* get get your fingers behind the fiberglass trim to reach the bolts. The starboard cabinet, however, is completely inaccessible. The last picture is a somewhat bad picture, but you can just make out that the thin back side of the cabinet goes all the way up the fiberglass trim, behind which are the outboard track bolts.
So... my question... what should I do? Just bed the machine screw in the fiberglass with no bolt? Rip out the cabinet to get access? Take the track stopper out and fill in the hole? Or just screw it in and always sail on starboard tack and in the sun?
Since we're in the sunny and dry California summer right now, I figure I'll just screw the bolt back into the fiber glass temporarily until I can figure something out. Suggestions welcome!!
+steve
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S/V Nami Alameda, Ca
1983 C36 MKI, Hull #169
Hello,
I had similar problems with the same style midship cleats on my '86 Mk1. I tightened the bolts from the outside with a large screwdriver then filed the heads flush with the T-track. Not much filing was required. From the inside, I was able to get a socket wrench on some of the nuts. I didn't bother with the rest. If they leak a little, I use Capt. Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure. Seems to work. To get at the nuts hidden behind the cabinetry, your best option is to cut access panels. The access panel in your photo is on all Mk1s and was installed at the factory. To get at the one missing nut, I suggest a plastic round access port available from WestMarine. They come in 4" and 6" diameters and come in black. They don't look bad. When I replaced the stanchions, I installed two of these in the port and starboard cabinets just under the stanchion base to get access to the bolts.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
John
Thanks John, this is solid advice (and filing the heads of the screws down was probably a smarter choice than the hammer!)
I've actually never used Captain Tolley's. I presume you set the screw normally, and then dab some captain tolleys around the edge of the screw head? Is that really enough?
I was hoping I could get away without ripping up the cabinet, but I think you're right, an access port is probably the best bet.
It's funny, because I decided to get track cleats because they'd be _less_ work than bedding deck hardware, but now I'm cutting access ports in cabinets and messing with the genny track. Silly me for thinking that there's such thing as a simple boat upgrade :)
+steve
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S/V Nami Alameda, Ca
1983 C36 MKI, Hull #169
I completely understand about the "simple" boat upgrade. I've been down that path before and it is very frustrating. I try to take it in stride. Yes I put Captain Tolley's around head of the bolt and right where the track meets the deck. It seems to help. At least I stopped one leaking track bolt that way. It is not ideal but better than nothing. The right way is remove the track completely and rebed from end to end. That is a big job. You are correct that the cabinets will have to come out. That will not be easy and I do not recommend that approach unless you are a skilled cabinet maker. There is a craftsman in your area Soren Hansen Woodworking who can advise you on the cabinetry. I've seen his work and it is good. Svenden's also has a wood shop. Don't expect to get off cheap.
Good Luck
Regards,
John