Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: Phil Spicer on June 18, 2020, 02:01:49 PM

Title: Leaking bolt on genoa track
Post by: Phil Spicer on June 18, 2020, 02:01:49 PM
Found a wet spot on the shower seat about the time I pulled the boat. Forgot about it until a storm last week and shower seat was wet again. I'm thinking wet core, I will have a real mess. Pulled the bolt and
Found the deck to be solid glass under the track.  Wonderful, no wet core to deal with. Sealed the bolt with
Butyl tape ( thank you Maine Sail) ,now wait for rain, or I could wash the deck.
Title: Re: Leaking bolt on genoa track
Post by: Ron Hill on June 18, 2020, 02:50:46 PM
Phil : Years ago when I first got the boat, I and a friend & I check the tightness on each of those genoa track bolts.  It takes two people, one on the deck and one below. 
The person on the deck needs a #3 Phillips SQUARE shank screwdriver and a crescent wrench.  He/she pushes down on the screwdriver holding the wrench on the shank so it cannot turn, while the person below checks the tightness with a socket.

This also works to check the tightness of the stanchion bolts.   :thumb:

A few thoughts
Title: Re: Leaking bolt on genoa track
Post by: KWKloeber on June 19, 2020, 08:22:28 PM
Phil Don't forget the gold standard is to remove the track and epoxy-pot and countersink the thru-holes before applying butyl.  That goes also for all thru-holes/thru-fasteners on the deck/comings.  For track flatheads, I picked up a 3/8" drive socket x Phillips bit so that I can put virtually all my effort downward.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31GAZitH6vL._AC_SR160,160_.jpg)

I find that I can hold the head more securely/easily cuz I'm not negotiating two tools (which I used before the socket.)  They come w/ #2, #3, or #4 Phillips (I found that #4 was the best fit.)
Title: Re: Leaking bolt on genoa track
Post by: Noah on June 19, 2020, 08:59:03 PM
And don't forget a foam pad for your knees.  8)
Title: Re: Leaking bolt on genoa track
Post by: Phil Spicer on June 20, 2020, 09:11:47 AM
  Thanks gentlemen. Have the Phillips sockets, and I'm never without
Knee pads, soft pads for the deck.
  May not get to removing the track until later this summer unless my
Repair isn't good.