Bill Ewing
New Member
On my mod1's gooseneck, there is a threaded hole (1/4-20) for what would be some kind of bolt to retain the grommet at the forward/bottom corner of the mainsail.
Across from the threaded hole is a larger, unthreaded hole. Clearly, the intention seems to be that a threaded pin is used to retain the clew.
The problems/questions I have are:
1. If a bolt is to be used, isn't it strange that Catalina would not make the gooseneck surface flat (i.e. perpendicular to the hole?)
2. Is a threaded bolt what everyone else uses?
3. Is a threaded bolt really a secure way to do this? Couldn't it work its way loose while in use? Wouldn't a clevis pin with a cotter ring be better? Besides, the bolt requires one to have a wrench handy.
4. The threads seem jammed up. I may retap them. Has anyone else had this problem?
5. I'm thinking, however, about drilling out the threads and using a clevis pin instead, but hate to make unreversible mods. Has anyone else done this?
6. I wonder if Catalina changed the design in later boats?
Thanks in advance for all opinions and advice.
Across from the threaded hole is a larger, unthreaded hole. Clearly, the intention seems to be that a threaded pin is used to retain the clew.
The problems/questions I have are:
1. If a bolt is to be used, isn't it strange that Catalina would not make the gooseneck surface flat (i.e. perpendicular to the hole?)
2. Is a threaded bolt what everyone else uses?
3. Is a threaded bolt really a secure way to do this? Couldn't it work its way loose while in use? Wouldn't a clevis pin with a cotter ring be better? Besides, the bolt requires one to have a wrench handy.
4. The threads seem jammed up. I may retap them. Has anyone else had this problem?
5. I'm thinking, however, about drilling out the threads and using a clevis pin instead, but hate to make unreversible mods. Has anyone else done this?
6. I wonder if Catalina changed the design in later boats?
Thanks in advance for all opinions and advice.