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Tom Morgan
141 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Sep 2018 : 23:03:39
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My boat's a 1970 Norman 23, and has no roof rails at the moment. The raised GRP bases for the rail to bolt on to are there, and I can see threaded inserts to take the bolts. Would anyone happen to know what size and thread the bolts need to be, so I can buy some stainless ones?
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2018 : 05:06:10
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I don't know the answer, I suspect m6 or m8 but I suggest you pop into your local hardware store and buy one of each from m5 - m8 in plain mild steel, the cheapest, and pop down and see what fits.
Then I suggest you buy brass in the correct size and not stainless because the threads can still corrode in stainless if you get the wrong grade. The original rails were sapele by the way.
But are you sure the holes are actually threaded? I've removed grab-rails that were simply screwed down to glassed in blocks before.
Finally living the dream!
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Tom Morgan
141 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2018 : 10:09:00
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| cliveshep - thanks for your very helpful reply. I had only a quick look at the holes when viewing the boat. They seemed to be the same diameter all the way down and I thought I saw some kind of threaded liner inside. I'll have a better look when I get the boat nearer home. I have plenty of metric nuts and bolts to check with, but as the boat dates from 1970, I thought the bolts might be Imperial. I have those too, but the range of "possibles" is much wider! I'll certainly go with brass fasteners. Thanks also for mentioning that the holes might not be threaded at all, and for the detail about the wood originally used. |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2018 : 11:32:11
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| Probably best to fill the holes and put a screw in a different place. Use a pilot hole and screw in steel screws then change for brass ones. |
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Tom Morgan
141 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2018 : 13:40:12
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| Thanks for that tip, Stratford4528. |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2018 : 16:01:17
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I don't know if they sell them in the UK but here they sell very nice mahogany hardwood curtain poles in various lengths. They are 25mm round dowel so eminently perfect for cabin cruiser roof grab-rails.
Finally living the dream!
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Tom Morgan
141 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2018 : 17:49:51
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Thanks again, Clive. I hadn't thought of that, but I bet B&Q will have something suitable. I'll add it to the list of things to look into when I get the boat nearer home.
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trevork
3949 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2018 : 23:58:08
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| Be careful, some may actually be hardwood but most are a composite that would not stand up well to either the winter or rain! |
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Tom Morgan
141 Posts |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2018 : 12:50:07
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30mm sounds fine.
Finally living the dream!
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Tom Morgan
141 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2018 : 15:15:08
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Thanks again, mate!
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2018 : 16:45:21
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A flat machined on the bottom edge will make it sit better and less likely to come loose.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
 Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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Tom Morgan
141 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2018 : 17:36:19
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| What a helpful and friendly forum this is! Thanks, df - that's an important consideration. |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2018 : 18:45:18
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<pc mode off>
quote:
What a friendly forum this is!
Most mental patients say hello to everyone...
</pc mode still off as I don't have one>
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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Early Norman 23 wooden grab rails
