Removable fixings suggestions / ideas

[flaming]

Looking for ideas....

I want to mount 2 foot rests at the aft of the boat, specifically as bracing points for the kids when in cruising mode. This would be mounted flat to the cockpit floor. In an ideal world I'd then be able to remove them when in race mode. What I'm struggling to find is some sort of attachment mechanism that is unobtrusive when not in use, robust enough to mount foot rests on, and doesn't weigh half a tonne, And in an absolutely ideal world doesn't need tools to attach or remove.

Any suggestions?

 

[crewman]

First 40.7's had a fold out footbrace for the mainsheet trimmer. Folded out when sailing, folded in when in harbour so as not to be a trip hazard. Permanently mounted so once installed no need for tools.

 

[flaming]

First 40.7's had a fold out footbrace for the mainsheet trimmer. Folded out when sailing, folded in when in harbour so as not to be a trip hazard. Permanently mounted so once installed no need for tools.

Yes, I know those, but for various reasons they won't work, mainly because I have locker doors on the part of the cockpit that they'd need to attach to. I'm looking essentially for a way to mount a bar type foot rest on the cockpit floor but make it removeable.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Looking for ideas....

I want to mount 2 foot rests at the aft of the boat, specifically as bracing points for the kids when in cruising mode. This would be mounted flat to the cockpit floor. In an ideal world I'd then be able to remove them when in race mode. What I'm struggling to find is some sort of attachment mechanism that is unobtrusive when not in use, robust enough to mount foot rests on, and doesn't weigh half a tonne, And in an absolutely ideal world doesn't need tools to attach or remove.

Any suggestions?

You would need to put receptacles in the cockpit floor for them to lock into, the footrest could be locked in with these, but the tolerances would need to be pretty exact.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I’d be tempted to give velcro a try.

 

[riverteign]

Either VHB velcro pads as mentioned above or, depending on the weight of the weight of the children, maybe use some of the new adhesive padeyes and lash the foot rest to them

 

[billcole]

Would something like this work ? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oldbones-Motorcycle-Fasteners-Release-Fastener/dp/B07VC5X5T3

 

[justanothersailboat]

Threaded bushings in the floor, thumbscrews in the footrests?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

A grating type insert that fits in the space and is constrained by the perimeter edges of the cockpit, shaped for the function that you want. It does not have to be one piece, it could be in three sections: the two outer bits for bracing and a centre section, flat on the deck. Easy to remove but stable when healed and loaded up.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Threaded bushings in the floor, thumbscrews in the footrests?

I would even bother with threads. Just a bushing and rods on the foortests to drop them into place. The load is lateral so they won't move. Plugs for when the footrests are not in use.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Just thinking out load based on the post above.
Rivnuts if the cockpit sole is not too thick.

 

[oldbloke]

How about keyhole plates as used for hanging boarding ladders on

 

[flaming]

Thanks all, some good suggestions.

I don't think Velcro is going to work in this instance, although the purpose is footholds for kids, inevitably adults would also stand on them. My concern with threaded inserts is that they would have to be blind, as otherwise they'd just leak into the boat, and if blind they'd hold water and inevitably corrode, which would make the thread hard to use.

What I'm really looking for is some kind of "click fit" mount.

 

[flaming]

A grating type insert that fits in the space and is constrained by the perimeter edges of the cockpit, shaped for the function that you want. It does not have to be one piece, it could be in three sections: the two outer bits for bracing and a centre section, flat on the deck. Easy to remove but stable when healed and loaded up.

That's a little impractical in this case, here's a sistership....

 

[Ceirwan]

Thanks all, some good suggestions.

I don't think Velcro is going to work in this instance, although the purpose is footholds for kids, inevitably adults would also stand on them. My concern with threaded inserts is that they would have to be blind, as otherwise they'd just leak into the boat, and if blind they'd hold water and inevitably corrode, which would make the thread hard to use.

What I'm really looking for is some kind of "click fit" mount.

How about a tube style blind insert, 2 or 3 of them, made in A4 stainless, with matching dowel pins on the bottom foot chocks.
If the fit is reasonably tight, then they won't drop out if you have a wipe out and the rest of the time gravity is going to keep them in place.

If you're concerned about water in them, when not in use they could have a silicone bung.
I'm sure I've seen this in a yacht review on youtube, but can't remember which one.

The block just slots in and can be pulled out by hand.
This is the style I mean, I don't know the proper name for them, but they use them for tillerpilots to slot into the cockpit seat.

 

[flaming]

How about a tube style blind insert, 2 or 3 of them, made in A4 stainless, with matching dowel pins on the bottom foot chocks.
If the fit is reasonably tight, then they won't drop out if you have a wipe out and the rest of the time gravity is going to keep them in place.

If you're concerned about water in them, when not in use they could have a silicone bung.
I'm sure I've seen this in a yacht review on youtube, but can't remember which one.

The block just slots in and can be pulled out by hand.
This is the style I mean, I don't know the proper name for them, but they use them for tillerpilots to slot into the cockpit seat.
View attachment 205222

That could be more promising. Will require an exceptional level of accuracy in the install though!

 

[Ceirwan]

That could be more promising. Will require an exceptional level of accuracy in the install though!

Probably easier than you'd think.
Assuming teak (or synthetic) foot chock, you can do the deck side first, then insert the dowels.

On your chock have a hole drilled slightly oversize to allow for some inacuracies in the drilling.
And then use a little bit of fast set epoxy in the bottom of the dowel holes in the block, not enough to squeeze out everywhere, but enough to hold it securely, slide the block onto the dowels, fine tune your position & then when its set you can pull out the block & backfill around the dowels to get your final strength.

That way the filling is underneath your chock and not on the deck so invisible.

If you want something unobtrustive, that's the best I can think of!

 

[justanothersailboat]

My concern with threaded inserts is that they would have to be blind, as otherwise they'd just leak into the boat, and if blind they'd hold water and inevitably corrode, which would make the thread hard to use.

What I'm really looking for is some kind of "click fit" mount.

I do see what you mean, though I find it hard to see how it can be basically flush without some sort of blind recess. Baggywrinkle's fancy pins seem promising.

 

[Ceirwan]

@flaming

Found it:

If the timestamp didn't work, its 06:08.

 

[Neeves]

Threaded bushings in the floor, thumbscrews in the footrests?

Threaded two part LFRs in the cockpit floor. They will be almost flush on the deck. Rubber or silicone bung when not in use. Foot rest/brace has rod at each end to drop onto LFR. If you don't like the idea of stainless tube or rod - machine nylon rod with a thread on the underside with a nylon nut. Most LFR makers make 2 part threaded of various sizes, both diameter and length (viz Allan Bros). You might need to brace/reinforce the underside (glassed foam)

What is under the floor?