Advice please - Replacing Teak-work on a Westerly

[Guest]

Hello,

I am in the process of replacing the teak-work on my Westerly Konsort prior to new headlining. The grab-rails are easy, but the toe-rails are, to say the least, difficult. Does anyone have any tips regarding how to expose the inboard ends of the through-bolts? I realise that I must remove any internal fittings as well as the headlining. But the in-board ends of the through-bolts are covered with GRP. What I am after is a quick method of exposing the bolts so that I can remove the nut and get the rails off.

Furthermore please can somebody answer the following questions:

Why were the inboard ends of the bolts covered with fibreglass in the first place?
Do I need to re-cover them?
What are the grades of stainless steel bolts, nuts and washers as I want to replace them with ones that will not rust for as long a time as possible?

Steve

 

[Guest]

Bit of a problem, have the same set up on my W30, can only suggest that when all lining removed you will have a better picture. I removed all my linings which were 30+ years old and then saw all the bolt heads and or nuts from the toe rails!!.

My only suggestion is to grind of the glass over the heads of the bolts and maybe to grind off the heads of the bolts also and renew completely. obviously reglassing over the bolts heads when refitting. Maybe asking the question on westerly-owners@yahoogroups.co.uk will get you a more positive reply!!

Mor Righ Westerly 30

 

[30boat]

I took a look at the bolts on my fulmar to see how they were fitted.I'm sure the glassing over was done only for neatness and it's really not important.I would try a heatgun with care.It will soften the glassing only enough to allow it to be scraped off without any mess.Whenever I have to remove fiberglass that's the method I use as grinding is far to unpleasant and messy.