My recently purchased 14.2 has a furling jib. The furling line from the drum runs to a small cam cleat mounted next to the mast on top of the cuddy. This configuration causes the line to come into contact with the top of the drum (which is angled along the axis of the jib) resulting in friction when pulling the line to furl the jib.
Harken's manual for small boat furling jibs recommends adding a fairlead at a position fairly close to the drum so that the line from the drum is perpendicular to the jib's luff. This fairlead is missing on my boat and I'd like to add one.
I'm curious what others have done to address this. Specifically, I'd like to know how to attach the fairlead to the top of the cuddly (I have a Mod 2 and do not have access to the inside of the cuddy). I'm concerned that any screws drilled into the fiberglass would eventually pull out. How about stainless toggle bolts? How would I seal the holes afterwards?
In some respects, this is a more generic question of how to attach deck hardware.
Thanks,
Radu
Harken's manual for small boat furling jibs recommends adding a fairlead at a position fairly close to the drum so that the line from the drum is perpendicular to the jib's luff. This fairlead is missing on my boat and I'd like to add one.
I'm curious what others have done to address this. Specifically, I'd like to know how to attach the fairlead to the top of the cuddly (I have a Mod 2 and do not have access to the inside of the cuddy). I'm concerned that any screws drilled into the fiberglass would eventually pull out. How about stainless toggle bolts? How would I seal the holes afterwards?
In some respects, this is a more generic question of how to attach deck hardware.
Thanks,
Radu