Deck Hardware Question

[JeffMendenhall]

I have a question regarding deck hardware. Some of my screws that attach the railing to the boat are lose and won't tighten. Are these wood screws that I can put an insert in and tighten down or are they screws and nuts? If nuts, how the heck do you get to them? I plan on re-sealing all mounting hardware with 3M 4200, but need to understand how they are attached before I start this project.

Thanks for any helpful advice.

Jeff

 

[Spookeay]

If your speaking of the bow rail, they should be double nutted on the inside. I have never seen any that were just lag screws.

 

[JeffMendenhall]

Yes bow rails. But I cannot see how I can get to the nuts. Any ideas?

 

[Nehalennia]

Well besides the popular molley screw which we've seen suggested here(read: bad idea) the most best way is refilling the hole will epoxy, letting set and redrilling for the proper sized screw.
There are plenty of sites, but this one is a popular system.
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/

 

[1956olds]

Well i just happened to remove my rail this fall to let dry and reseal it.The nuts are under the furry stuff ,you will have to cut a slice in it after you feel around for them.You will need a friend on the outside to run the drill driver it will be a lot easier that way .Now some of the nuts are in cabinets and in cupboards and on the starboard side in the head and galley you may elect to remove some partitions to peel back the vynil that is covering the nuts.The hardest one is on the port rear i think as on my boat i had to work through the electrical panel in the dark yeaaaaaahhhh .well you asked.

 

[1956olds]

PS:the bow area is fun also ,reach way up in the anchor locker with a long wrench ,you will have to tape the nuts to the wrench to replace them.

 

[JeffMendenhall]

Thanks for the info, boy I cannot wait to get started on this project:smt021

 

[SCORPIO]

There are nuts located in the v-berth area, behind the storage areas over the galley and table areas and I believe in the head and behind the electrical panel. On my boat, the nuts are clearly visable below the cabin liner material. Maybe somebody already resealed my rails. You may want to check into 3M 4000UV, it won't yellow when exposed to UV light the way 4200 does.

 

[joe and ali]

FYI, they are all Bolts and not screws. You will need to get behind panels, etc. as noted. They do not make it easy. Have fun