I recently purchased a used sunfish (forgot the year, but I think it is a '1990's model) that needed some deck work (back near the stern). During the repair job, I had to remove one of the strap eyes (that the bridle connects to), & a buddy helped me with some fiberglass work. I then decided to paint a stripe across the stern where my repair was, and removed the other strap eye so that I could get nicer paint stripe...
When I tried to reconnect the 2 strap eyes (for the bridle), I found that both of the backing blocks had 'disappeared'. My wife and I have tipped the boat over a few times in order to keep the rain out / etc., during our repairs, so I suspect that the backing block could be 'anywhere down there'...
So, I guess that I need to install an inspection port to get some backing material back 'in there' (and if not, then I am open to other ideas...).
So here are my questions:
1. Where should I install the inspection port (I guess back where the rudder plate connects?). I do not want to cut into anything that might be structural below the deck. Is there a template or something to use, or do folks just guess where to install these ports?
2. What size inspection port should I purchase (and where do you order them from...)?
3. Do I need to install a new backing block (i.e. piece of wood) or is there some other backing material that will work better / just as well? I am (of course) looking for ease of installation and also (of course) want something that will hold over time (my kids will eventually sail this boat).
4. If I should stick with the wood backing block, then can I use any type of wood (i.e. a small piece of oak) or is there a specific kind of wood that I should use?
Any other hints and suggestions are much appreciated. I am fairly handy when it comes to working with wood, but really don't know a thing about fiberglass.
I just wish that I had found this forum before I started. I now realize that this was totally preventable. Hindsight is 20/20...
Cheers and thanks,
-John
When I tried to reconnect the 2 strap eyes (for the bridle), I found that both of the backing blocks had 'disappeared'. My wife and I have tipped the boat over a few times in order to keep the rain out / etc., during our repairs, so I suspect that the backing block could be 'anywhere down there'...
So, I guess that I need to install an inspection port to get some backing material back 'in there' (and if not, then I am open to other ideas...).
So here are my questions:
1. Where should I install the inspection port (I guess back where the rudder plate connects?). I do not want to cut into anything that might be structural below the deck. Is there a template or something to use, or do folks just guess where to install these ports?
2. What size inspection port should I purchase (and where do you order them from...)?
3. Do I need to install a new backing block (i.e. piece of wood) or is there some other backing material that will work better / just as well? I am (of course) looking for ease of installation and also (of course) want something that will hold over time (my kids will eventually sail this boat).
4. If I should stick with the wood backing block, then can I use any type of wood (i.e. a small piece of oak) or is there a specific kind of wood that I should use?
Any other hints and suggestions are much appreciated. I am fairly handy when it comes to working with wood, but really don't know a thing about fiberglass.
I just wish that I had found this forum before I started. I now realize that this was totally preventable. Hindsight is 20/20...
Cheers and thanks,
-John