Locking washboards

[OceanSprint]

A thread recently mentioned that locking wasboards was a recommendation following fastnet.

I had already worried that if my boat ever turned turtle, the washboard's a) would slide down and prevent the main hatch from opening and b) not have any hand hold to lift up again as both boards are just plain ply painted white.

The easiest solution for me is a cleat on the inside in the middle of the top washboard which i can lash down to top of companionway steps. Will lock boards and also serve as handle on inside.

Would this fulfill fastnet reccomendation?

 

[michael_w]

Yes. Provided the washboards are secured to the boat at all times and the hatch remains operable from above and below decks the scrutineer will be happy.

On my boat the washboards are secured via lanyards with clipped ends. In normal use the lanyards are coiled out of the way, in bad conditions, they are clipped on and cannot be lost, yet this allows the boards to be lifted out so it's easy to get below. A standard Fastnet latch completes the set up.

 

[Gin]

A thread recently mentioned that locking wasboards was a recommendation following fastnet.

I had already worried that if my boat ever turned turtle, the washboard's a) would slide down and prevent the main hatch from opening and b) not have any hand hold to lift up again as both boards are just plain ply painted white.

The easiest solution for me is a cleat on the inside in the middle of the top washboard which i can lash down to top of companionway steps. Will lock boards and also serve as handle on inside.

Would this fulfill fastnet reccomendation?

I fitted this product- not cheap but very neat and effective whether operated from the cockpit or from within the cabin.

Since this is a safety device for extreme conditions I considered it money well spent

http://www.ospreymarine.co.uk

 

[Neil_Y]

It's also a requirement for a coded boat and makes complete sense. Mine used a single line on the top board that could be cleated or released from either side. I wish I had a photo of the set up as I now can't remember the details.

 

[OceanSprint]

Michael - what is a standard fastnet latch?

Also neil, any details welcome as i cant think how to lash it which is undoable from both outside and in?

 

[Martin_J]

It is the sliding hatch cover that needs to be latchable and undoable from both outside and in. Once that is slid open the washboards can be undone by reaching in...

I did similar with lanyards (and happened to have red and green lanyards with matching cleats!)

Photo here showing hatch and washboards latched in place

The thing about securing the washboards by lanyards complies with the part that they must be attached to the boat, but in order to remain attached at all times I made stowage for the washboards either side of the companionway (with just a few lengths of sapele)..

Washboards shown stowed

Note - I did have to cut the washboard in half horizontally and being in two halves now has made it so much easier to stow.

One day I'll finish the Sapele to match...

 

[[70521]]

I fitted this product- not cheap but very neat and effective whether operated from the cockpit or from within the cabin.

Since this is a safety device for extreme conditions I considered it money well spent

http://www.ospreymarine.co.uk

How on earth do the justify that price?

 

[Big Andy]

How on earth do the justify that price?

They don't have to, they may be raking it in. Or on the other hand it could be small turn over with high costs.

 

[[70521]]

They don't have to, they may be raking it in. Or on the other hand it could be small turn over with high costs.

I'm a cynical engineer...

 

[Gin]

How on earth do the justify that price?

THat was my initial reaction too, but since I am only the temporary custodian of money that comes into my possession, after which I am obliged to distribute the wealth to ensure that I don't become rich, I thought "what the heck" and went for it.��

 

[Graham_Wright]

I fitted this product- not cheap but very neat and effective whether operated from the cockpit or from within the cabin.

Since this is a safety device for extreme conditions I considered it money well spent

http://www.ospreymarine.co.uk

That's a hell of a lot of money for something that looks simple!

 

[VicS]

That's a hell of a lot of money for something that looks simple!

You don't have to buy it. There are other cheaper options and ITYWF some more expensive ones as well

 

[LadyInBed]

I use simple bolts at the sides of each board (near the top).

 

[{151760}]

I use simple bolts at the sides of each board (near the top).

They don't prevent the washboards from going overboard when they're unbolted.

 

[William_H]

One would think the first requirement in bad weather is to secure the wash boards in place to stop water getting into the cabin in a knock down or worse. Obviously the hatch must be able to be opened from inside or outside. A simple lanyard from the bottom frame to a cleat near the top of the inside of the wash boards will do that nicely. It is a bit more difficult to lock the top sliding part of the hatch in a similar way. I have a piece of 6mm SS rod goes through the side frame near the top with a leg at right angles such that when the rod is turned by another leg handle outside it comes up inside to stop the top hatch moving forward. The inside leg is used as a handle to open from inside. All this to meet Australian Yachting (ie ISAF) requirements for some racing categories. In my case cat 5 for night races on a sheltered estuary.
If it just for cruising and depending on how stiff your top sliding hatch is the lanyard might be adequate for hatch safety.
olewill

 

[OceanSprint]

Many thanks ole_will, and to all repliers. I think i will go for something like will's solution.

Before answers here i had not thought also of securing washboards to boat. I can see in extremis you dont want them floating off.

The expensive latch wont fit my boat as sliding hatch overhangs top washboard by at least an inch when closed.

As my boat was built way after fastnet, as i guess many are, i wonder why builders did not design in washboard and hatch securing.

 

[Tintin]

There is a much cheaper and simpler solution.

Get 2 small plastic cleats. Fix each one either side of top washboard onto the frame the washboard slides into.

Drill a small hole in the top of the washboard.

Run a bit of small dia nylon thru the hole.

Cleat it off both sides.

It can be undone from inside or out.

And doesn't cost a fortune.

 

[LadyInBed]

They don't prevent the washboards from going overboard when they're unbolted.

I tend not to leave them on the side deck where they could possibly go overboard. If not in place, they are stored in the saloon.

 

[eddystone]

They don't prevent the washboards from going overboard when they're unbolted.

Nor would a lanyard if it's not attached - I can't see what's wrong with this

 

[{151760}]

Nor would a lanyard if it's not attached - I can't see what's wrong with this

Ok, it's all a bit unlikely, but one of the problems they had in the infamous Fastnet was that when boats inverted, the washboards fell out, allowing the cabins to be swamped, hence the requirement for them to be removable from below and on deck, and also to remain attached to the boat. If you invert while someone is in the process of exiting, then you'll get swamped, but at least you'll still have the washboards to secure the boat once you've recovered. The OP mentioned Fastnet requirements, so I flagged up the flaw in a system that will be fine most of the time.