fordeck u bolt ..is it strong enough?

[paulsmith]

My westerly griffon has a u bolt just behind the stemhead fitting this is bolted through the deck through a 18mm ply pad about 1ftx2ft on the underside(in the chain locker) and a small stainless plate before the nuts.I don't know if this is a standard factory fit and if so can I use it to attach an inner stay for a working /storm jib? ie is it strong enough ?
does any body have the same set up.
Paul

 

[Talbot]

The only way to be 100% certain would be to ask the designer! However, a surveyor ought to be able to provide reasonable advice on its utility. The one advatage is that even if it did give way, you should not lose the mast! - but would end up with a LOT of water in the chain locker - does it drain overboard or into the bilge. If into the bilge I would be a tad concerned, cause if it did rip out in bad weather you would almost certainly lose the boat.
I have seen one of these with a tension connection under the U bolt through to the bow in order to take some of the force off the deck and spread it onto the bow (which should be a lot stronger. This would not be necessary if there was a vertical bulkhead directly below the U bolt.

 

[capt_courageous]

Hi
It is certainly NOT an original fit.

 

[William_H]

Re Talbot yes if you have any doubt fit a large saddle under the nuts under the fitting and another large saddle on 2 bolts through the bow. (or some other strong area. Fit a turnscrew of reasonable size between the two saddles using a section of rigging wire or even 2 stainless steel elongated plates to join the whole lot together. Then tighten the turnscrew until there is some slight deflection of the deck. The added support does not have to be as strong as the total load but will aid the strength of the U bolt. A lot of racing yachts have this kind of added support to add stiffness and strength. It will make you feel better about it all. Happy new year will

 

[LadyInBed]

I’ve also got this arrangement of a U bolt about 18 ins back and 6 ins off the centre line (to starboard) and wondered what it was for and thought about using it, with more under strengthening for an inner forstay, but didn’t know how much the centre offset would affect things.

 

[Guest]

Main thing apart from its strength to carry the stress is that it does not turn under any influence - or if it does that the nut should be pinned / or eye prevented from turning at all. You will be surprised at the amount of turning moment exerted on such items - especially if a stay etc. is fitted.