Fitting stanchions

[Scarboroughsloop]

I am about to fir the stanchions to the deck, but am wondering about whether to use wooden pads to sit them on. The deck is planked with pitch pine and is sheathed using epoxy. So the question is whether to bolt directly to the deck or through wooden pads?

 

[mclark]

Oh without doubt use pads. Whenever you put any strain on the top of that staunchion the leverage on the bottom will be magnified, the last thing you want is the mastic seal between the staunchion base and deck to break down allowing water down the bolt hole and into the timber under the epoxy sheathing. Fitting a pad means that all this leverage is applied to the pad not the deck, you can make the pad out of something very hard so it wont compress under these strains and loosen the fastenings.

There is also a hidden benefit to using a pad and that is that the base of the stauntion is kept out of the run-off water a little better.

From all points of view - fit a pad.

cheers

 

[Mirelle]

Yep, fit pads.

Better still, don't fit the stanchions!

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

I was thinking of no stanchions. My deck is at 2 levels, and around the cockpit I only have around 2' of freeboard. Where the deck steps up forward the freeboard is better so I will not be fitting stanchions there. However I am again thinking about not fitting them at all, I do so much like her lines, and it would be a shame to spoil them with a playpen.....

 

[Mirelle]

I took ours (she was built with them - advanced thinking for 1937!) off, six years ago; we have not missed them, despite having a new baby (now 4 3/4!) in that time.

Best without.

They were a good idea in their day - which was before Peter Hayward invented the safety harness and jackstay, c. 1960....

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

Ok - I'm sold.

Anyone want to buy 4 brand new stanchions!!!!!

 

[old_salt]

You will have to put them on P.B. or SB. or even Mo-Bo. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You could always try them in the Lounge some one might buy them to stop them selves from falling off the couch when they have had to much to drink. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
No one will want them on here. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Kristal]

I shall have eight going soon, too - decided to do away with them a couple of months back, after deliberating for ages. I will need a new fender-hanging solution (I can't stand tying them to the handrails where their cords make the deck into an assault course) but I think she will look so much better without.

 

[old_salt]

I have to admit the only thing that lines and stanchions are any good for is hanging the fenders. It is a problem setting them well vertically for a jetty or pontoon on a short lanyard over the gunwale makes them tend to hang out wards at the bottom.
No probes rafting or along side just set them horizontal on two lanyards. But as you say fastened to the Coach roof hand rails an assault course.
I wonder if any one has a solution that would work and also look seaman like.

 

[Peterduck]

I am fortunate in that my ketch 'Swallow' has nice10 inch bulwarks, and I could fit kevels inside them to hang the fenders from. I suppose that a boat with only low toerails could try fitting some of those cleats that telescope down into the deck. They don't look very strong to me, and I wouldn't use them for anything heavier than securing a fender.
Peter.

 

[Shipwrecked]

Where you going to hang the washing from without stanchions?