replacement fasteners

[dmdoiron]

I have a 1974 DSII that I'm fixing up a bit. A couple of years ago, I repainted the hull which came out nice, but I've been staring for too long at a couple of large line factures and depressions on the cuddy bulkhead (I don't know what happened, but it looks like a PO and first mate hit a rock and took a couple of "headers" on the bulkhead) and a number of dings here and there in the cockpit, cuddy roof, etc. so I've decided to do epoxy repairs and paint all of that.

As part of that project, I decided to take off all the hardware, which I've done, but when taking out the various screws for the stern cleats, the jib rail, and the bow choc, some had nuts that had backed them up, which of course came off as I took off the screws. The problem is most of the nuts are now in sealed off areas either behind/below the cockpit seat or inclosed bow section.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this situation? I'd rather not put inspections ports in in order to reach the various areas to put on new nuts, but I'm thinking that even if I could refasten the hardware without using nuts, that the connection made might be too weak, especially with the stresses on the aft cleats and the jib rails. If I need to have inspection ports any suggestions and sizes. locations, and things not to do?

Also, a couple of the screws on two of the cleats broke off and what's left of them are firmly in the cleats. Can these be drilled out - or do I just buy some new cleats?

Thanks in advance for your help..

Dennis

[persephone]

I can't answer much on the inspection ports etc...

I can tell you to just buy new cleats though. The chances of drilling stainless bolts out of an aluminum cleat are slim.

Good luck.

[talbot]

Inspection ports are easy to install and let you not only replace your fittings, but back them up properly as well. I also have a 1974 DS, and once I got inside the hull, I was disappointed at the lack of backing plates or other reinforcement behind the cleats and bow chock.

I have put in a port to fix the bow cleats and stem eye, a port on each side to install oarlocks and back up the jib leads, and am contemplating another set to deal with my stern cleats and traveller.

By the way, if you decide to replace all your fittings, I am interested in finding another Wilcox-Crittenden Marinium offset bowchock and/or a W-C marinium 6" deck cleat. W-C is history, and Perko (which acquired their molds) does not make the cleats in clear anodized aluminum, only in black. Let me know if you have these fittings and are going to replace them. You can send me a message off the forum at (talbotb at comcast dot net).