Thinking about installing 1-1/4" aluminum T-Track on port and std toe rail. What length 5/16" screws should I use?
Screws?? I would think you use through bolts? Which is why I have not done it on mine. Too hard.
You can through bolt from the top of the toe rail? I guess I need to take a close look from the interior at the joint. Sounds like some really demanding boat yoga...
Guys : Does anyone know how the factory installed that genoa toe rail?? I'm not too sure if it is thru bolted or not? Maybe a call down to Warren Tandy in Florida might help? @ (727) 544- 6681.
A thought
I can't see a situation where sheetmetal screws could EVER hold the load being asked of that T track. I have it on my boat and would be extremely surprised if I didn't find bolts and washers underneath.
Every Catalina I looked at a few years ago, the outboard track was thru bolted. I added a block and diamond pad eye by the exhaust fan cowls port and starboard instead.
... they are screwed. I just put the front feet for my arch on it a few weeks ago. the (rear) nuts are to starboard next to the aft cabin cupboard (I cut a hole in there to get at them) and to port behind the engine control panel.
Holger
Holgar — Are you saying the jib track is attached with bolts and nuts or is it screwed on with self-tapping screws? I am not sure if your google translate got this issue confused?
... bolts and nuts!
there, at the rear end of the rail, I screwed the foot on (bolted through):
Quote from: Ron Hill on October 24, 2022, 02:16:29 PM
Guys : Does anyone know how the factory installed that genoa toe rail?? I'm not too sure if it is thru bolted or not? Maybe a call down to Warren Tandy in Florida might help? @ (727) 544- 6681.
A thought
Ron, I am the original owner and the boat came with the outside optional genoa toe rail. The toe rail is thru bolted with washers and nuts on the inside!
:thumb: Thx B
Nuts and Bolts it is. Now I just need to see how accessible it is, or isn't, to do that....
Bill : Now that the deck portion of the C34 has been mated to the hull portion - I'm afraid that your accessibility to the under side of the toe rail is VERY limited!! :cry4`
A thought
The port side toe rail can likely be done, albeit with a challenge. The stbd side has the aft cabin liner covering the toe rail area for most of the run making that near impossible without cutting the hull liner for access.
Hence my previous comment: i would love to have them, but I fear "too hard" to execute.
On the starboard side I removed the paneling on the ceiling in the aft cabin to get at the nuts. for the backmost 2 or 3 I had to cut a hole in the small cupboard on the back side.
On the port side I took out the engine control panel to get at the rear 2 or 3 nuts, I got the others by lying down in the locker (under the port bench seat in the cockpit).
Since I was only interested in the rear part of the rail, I don't know exactly whether and how far forward it goes.
But I'll be back on the boat in Italy in a few weeks and could take a look, since I didn't manage to reinstall the paneling in the aft cabin the last time.
Holger
The Bolts are about 10centimeters long
Noah,
I was at the boat last night and I believe it could be done. The aft cabin valance strip (where the lights are installed) has a vinyl wrapped cover. Once removed, the spot where the bolts protrude becomes visible. As Holger says, at some point it will be behind the aft bulkhead. When I had my water tank out, I was able to get above the closet area to reach those spots. I can't say it would be easy, but one could do it.
Thx Alex! But at my age and somewhat waning ambition level for boat yoga, I am more and more attaching a scale of "difficulty vs rate of return" to all of my projects. I have moved outboard tracks and their possible resultant speed gain, to pretty low on my list.
That thought occurred to me as I wrote the message. To get to the aft end of the track from the lazzerette is QUITE a significant yoga possition.
... no, If you Cut a round hole (for your Hand) in the cupboard its realy easy!
Holger