fitting new fairlead

Colin_Reid · 2020-10-03 09:57:19

I want to fit a new fairlead, not replacing the existing one but in a new position about 1/3 way forward from the stern. I am not sure how the existing ones are secured. Does anyone know what lies below the toerail? I assume its the hull-deck joint with both vertical at this point, so a through deck fixing is not possible. Any advise on this?

The reason is to have a fairlead at the point of balance so that coming alongside a single line to a cleat from this point will hold the boat steady alongside when motoring gently forward. There's a lot of interesting reading on this on the Morgan Cloud website if anyone is interested. (paywall). the midships fairleads are too far forward for this and the bow kicks in to the pontoon.

John_Willis · 2020-10-04 11:41:46

Morning Colin,

I can only speak for my Frances 34 Pilothouse, but my midships fairleads were simply screwed on, not an ideal solution. The bow and stern ones are bolted, albeit the bolts have widened their holes and the fairleads are a little loose.

So I took both midships fairleads off, filled the holes, moved them slightly forward and was able to bolt them through the toe rail and hull/deck join. It is a much stronger fitting. However, I never use them when gales blow, as the forces on them can be huge. I have screwed strips of brass keel band forward and aft of each midships fair lead and run the mooring warps from the cleats directly over the toe rail.

I also sail solo and hold the boat by motoring against a warp (I have tried stern to and bows to) but don't use a fair lead.

Colin_Reid · 2020-10-05 16:03:48

thanks John, The upstand of the bulwark is about 75mm with the toerail on top (from memory) did you drill and bolt all the way through that?

Colin

John_Willis · 2020-10-06 14:06:09

Yes all the way through and I was able to reach up from inside to fit bolts. Now they are much more secure.

#1 2020-10-03 09:57:19

fitting new fairlead

#2 2020-10-04 11:41:46

Re: fitting new fairlead

#3 2020-10-05 16:03:48

Re: fitting new fairlead

#4 2020-10-06 14:06:09

Re: fitting new fairlead

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