Rowlock socket fitment

[MikeBz]

I've acquired a very nice clinker ply dinghy which is essentially unused. The rowlock sockets have been screwed to the top of the gunwales like this (no this isn't the boat...):



It seems to me that it should be the other way up, with the round lip recessed with a snug fit into the wood so that the screws aren't doing all of the work required to transmit the rowers efforts. Or better still recess the whole thing so it is flush. Looking at ads for rowlocks, some pics have the plate one way up and some the other - though none of them show it installed. Any definitive answers?

 

[burgundyben]

I think you are right, fitted with the boss in a snug bore in the wood.

 

[MikeBz]

I showed it to a traditional-boat-type of people round the corner from me today. They both agreed that engineering-wise it would be nicer to have the boss snug in the wood, but pointed out that it looks as though it's supposed to be the way up I've pictured it because there is a slight taper on the sides of the plate and the screw holes have a slight countersink taper on them fitted that way up. Also one of them said the boss is there for the rowlock to sit on. so maybe boss-up with the plate fitted flush would be the best compromise.

 

[burgundyben]

Agree about the countersinks.

But the taper on the boss might be casting draft, although looks a bit much.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Humm I think thats its the right way up in your pics (the screw countersinks) but best if its cut into the timbers, so that A- its a stronger fixing plus B- it kooks better C- it gives the Rowlock something to clear the timbers with; think that the taper is for easier Rowlock fitting afloat.

Looked at mine today, all four of them, there are variations in three of them ? oh well !

 

[MikeBz]

I agree, I'm now content that what you suggest is the correct/best approach.

The sides of the rectangular plate are slightly tapered - with the boss upwards the plate's footprint is bigger at the bottom than the top, so if it is cut into the timbers then there will be a little gap around the top. Still better to do that and fill the gap I think.

All 4 of mine are slightly different. I discovered this when I unscrewed them, put them in a pile, and then went to put them back on - had to find the matching socket in the right orientation to get the screw holes to line up.

Thanks all for your input.

 

[Redwing228]

Hi, a bit late with a reply but you are right; the rowlock plates should be recessed into the timber. Here's a pic of a project boat I've been working on. All four plates were slightly different sizes/hole centres so I had to mark each one as I cut the recesses to make sure I can keep them in the right locations after painting.