Back stays

mariner · Post by **mariner** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:26 pm

Oh... Will the work never end? Someone once said that a boat is like a hole in the water that you throw money into! I'm starting to feel like the currency here is work, work and more work.... So, I'm knee deep into re bedding the deck hardware, all is well untill I get to the transom. How the he'll did they bolt down the rear transom posts and the stays ? I'll bet that they installed these before the top was bolted to the hull! Any bright ideas from anyone on how to go about unbolting these? Also my c22 has plywood "deviders" on each side toward the back of the cockpit lockers. These appear to be held in place by caulk and may not be oem? Can anyone ring in on this? Starboard side has floatation foam behind it , port has nothing? I'm going to have to remove these if I ever hope to reach those damn bolts .... Aaarrrggg...

mga1951 · Post by **mga1951** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:19 pm

Mariner My C-22 does not have a stern pulpit.. but I used 2 or 3 socket extensions and a socket to tighten the back stays. Came up from where I keep my fuel tank. (under the hatch on the transom) with the extensions I could tighten or loosen the nuts. I have not taken off completely.. may be tough to get back on.. :)

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:17 pm

Hey Mariner-

I cut holes!

I bought those round deck access covers with the screw in lids. Made sure I got them big enough for my meathooks to fit through (trust me, they ain't dainty!

) and took a hole saw to the transom up by the seam. One on each side gives me access to the stays and stern rails.

Here's a shot, no covers in place, but you can get an idea. I'll try to remember to take more pics tomorrow to post:

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:59 am

Hey Mariner,

I had loose backstay supports and asked on the site for some ideas. Take a 7/16 socket, long extensiion (double up if needed), and go up blind from the cockpit side. It sounds like an impossible task to think
you will be able to get the socket over the hidden nuts, but, trust me,
it will work. It took me only about five minutes to set up, connect to the nuts, and tighten them all.

The only variable would be if for some reason the nuts on your stay supports are not 7/16. I bet they are. Good luck.

Jeff

Capt. Bondo · Post by **Capt. Bondo** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 12:09 pm

Mariner
PO of Happy Place made extra large backing plates for the back stay mounts. Looks like he did not have the insite that the folks here have to use sockets with extentions. I still have a Channel Lock plyers hanging from the last one nut he tightened

As for the plywood "dividers" I have them also, with foam behind them.
Makes a great place to hang stuff in the locker.

I hang dock lines and sheets on the hooks

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:31 pm

As you can see, my stern rail is pulling loose. Backstays are lifted quite a ways. I looked with a mirror and flashlight up to where my stays are and they were covered but sealant that had been shot into the rear seam by one of the POs.

So, the holes.

Makes it real easy to access both fastening points! Turns out the wood backer is very punky, I'll be putting a metal backerplate in to replace them. Wouldn't be the best thing to pull through, eh?!

Here's what the cover will look like when I'm done:

mariner · Post by **mariner** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:47 pm

I'm thinking that I will be able to access the nuts with socket extensions and removal of the plywood, the plywood is kinda shot and I will probably remove the foam. I'm not sure why it's only on one side? I would like to cut the holes it sure would make life easier, but I cannot bring myself to do it...New metal backing plate would also be nice I'm just not sure what type of yoga to start practicing !

Jmckamey · Post by **Jmckamey** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:25 am

Cut it baby cut it, You will find the wood backing plate is encased in fiberglass and the wood is rotted. That's the reason the hardware has become loose. There's no getting around it, ya gotta replace the backing plate and the only way to have good access is to install access ports. Chrysler should have done it when they made the boat.

Just think about that rotted backing plate holding the mast up next time you have her heeled over in a stiff wind.

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:37 am

Nightmares. That's what I got rid of by cutting the holes. Trust me, you'll sleep better!

astrorad · Post by **astrorad** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:59 am

Billy (Bhacurly) cut his holes on the cockpit side of the transom...that is what I intend to do. As far as the foam and plywood on the sides/ends I have both on port and starboard, also caulked in place. Seems to be OEM.

mariner · Post by **mariner** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:00 am

I intend to remove and remake the plywood and take out the foam(i think i can better use the space) however Annemarie is very allergic to saws so i bought her a new friend, I hope they can get along.

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:02 am

I saw that in his pictures, Bill. If I had to do it over, I might chose that idea--looks nice! But I'm ok with being able to stand upright and work through mine, at least while it's on the trailer!

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:03 am

Nice Mariner! Let us know how she works!

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:06 pm

Can't have too many tools!

The backstay nuts weren't my problem... It was the ones for the pulpit. I couldn't keep my socket on them due to glass popping it off! The access ports gave me room to get a small wrench on while tightened.

I used an air & socket wrench when I did the backstay nuts and actually had water sqeeze out as it snugged up. Makes me worry about some rot down the road! I may pull it apart to dry out this winter...

Capt. Bondo · Post by **Capt. Bondo** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:15 am

Another thought, to help justify cutting holes in the stern.
Size your new access plates to you can mount cockpit speakers in them

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:42 am

Speaker holes! Great idea!

Jmckamey · Post by **Jmckamey** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 6:35 pm

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you have water squezing out then you already have rot.

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:07 pm

NO!

Don't pop my happy bubble of denial!!!

Least it's snug for now... I'll drill it oversized and epoxy it up after this season... I didn't see any wood from inside and there's no dimples at the stay topside so I figure it should be ok for now....

Back to my happy place...