Since I havent found a good thread on this anywhere here, let me see if I have the Hiking Strap installation basics correct for my Alcort -
Eyestrap in the front of the cockpit backed by a steel backing plate and stainless screws installed via an inspection port located on the deck or in the cockpit itself........
Do the screws require nuts or washers?
Yes; bolts are OK as well
Eyestrap installed with 2" bolts in the back of the cockpit utilizing the draining lip in the cubby. I'm assuming nuts and washers here, though I can't imagine there's enough room on the back of the lip.
You have to get the appropriate size
So when I get all of that installed, I dont understand how the hiking strap will attach to the eyestraps. Can you help me out here? :confuse
Tie a line that passes through the strap and the eyestraps
yeah, i didn't realize i would have to put inspection ports on her.. i feel bad for cutting her up. maybe i'm just worried about how it will look.
but you gotta do what you got to do. i guess it will be good for her to have me be able to inspect her insides..
has anyone invented a kit to put one on without putting in the ports? a kit that will hold the weight..
spanks
Spanks,
An inspection port is a good thing and typically adds value to the boat. The problem with your vintage boat is that the fiberglass at the aft end of the cockpit tub is fairly thin and without a fairly large metal or wood back-up plate to spread the load, you can't get a strong enough attachment point to take the load of a hiking strap. A 5" or 6" port should be fine and they are fairly easy to install. At the end of the season, you can also open the port, cover with 1/4" wire mesh (to keep critters out of the interior) and dry the boat out before the start of the next season. To be honest, the Sunfish should come stock from the factory with two deck ports, and I always add them to any project boats I am working on.
Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
I used a 4" inspection port on SCUD
why did you put two ports in the front?
could i just put one in the middle there, like you have in the back?
wait.. i just realized you couldn't fit it there, being that the strap goes there.. right? but then, why do you have two ports in the front?
I used large 2" washers on the back and a 5 inch piece of 3/8' laminated fiberglass on the front for reinforcing. I think the washers will be strong enough for the front. The laminated fiberglass is overkill. Cutting it will ruin any blade. I used diamond blades for most cutting of that material.
i used the diamond saw for most of the cutting and a dremmel to finish it out.. i didn't think of it until after all the dust, cough, but i should have used my vacuum to keep the dust from flying around while cutting.. goggles and mask highly recommended, as well as long sleeves and pants..
i've been itchy for days..
I'll be painting the entire boat light gray. She'll carry 4 curved blue-green color stripes (NOT STRAIGHT). I want the stripes to resemble the outline edges of a sail from a top view..
the tub will also be blue green..
the black ports i have were cheap as i don't plan on using them often. i'll be using a proper port for the hole i'm going to place on the deck, which will hold a cat bag for storage..
Call up Neil Pryde in Stratford, CT. Ask if they will sell you some of the material they use--it is what Windsurfers use for sails. They install windows for $25, so the material would cost less than $10.
once i had the first port installed i knew i had to do the right thing and install another 4 ports for future maintenance etc..
my dad thinks i'm crazy..landlover..
no way jose!
that is a good deal..
i would spend $100 on that sail if i knew where i could take it..THANK YOU
Your Dad is right. 5 ports is way too many. I only install three on older Sunfishes, two on newer ones.