Securing Washboards for the ARC

[oliverkinchin]

Hello again,

I have another question. I need to secure my washboards for a Rival 32 before we embark on this years ARC. So we have 3 boards, as standard that slide into a groove. One idea is to drill a hold into each and feed a lanyard through with a stopper knot at one end and and clip at the other that could be fixed to a D ring on a strong point by the companion way.

The other idea would be to use those ring pull's that you can use for your cabin sole and sink then into the washboards and then tie the lanyard to them instead of drilling through them. I prefer the top solution but I am wondering what other cheap ideas are out there and if anyone has a photo this would be even better.

Thank you once again.

 

[prv]

Bolts screwed to the boards, going into holes in the side rails?

You need to make sure that whatever you add can be opened from both inside and outside; I think bolts on the inside face of the boards should be OK as long as the hatch can be slid back from outside to reach them.

Pete

 

[Georgio]

Racing rules require you to do two things here. The first is to attach the washboards to the boat so they can’t be lost over the side when not in place (easy to do with one or two lanyards). The second is the ability to have them fixed in place. For the Azab I simply fitted a pair of barrel locks to the top washboard that kept it (and consequently the ones underneath) in place.

One thing I am very pleased I did was to create a set of offshore-sailing washboards. The standard Co32 washboards are in three parts and mine are varnished to a mirror finish so I now have a separate two-piece washboard set where the top washboard has a tough Lexan/Acrylic window fitted in it. With this the washboards can be in but you can still see into the cockpit to check on the person on watch is still with you or keep an eye on the windwane, etc. It also lets much more light into the cabin on a horrible wet day.

Hope this helps.

 

[prv]

One thing I am very pleased I did was to create a set of offshore-sailing washboards.

Good idea - avoids having dangly lanyards etc looking messy and getting in the way when you're pootling around the Solent.

Pete

 

[Twister_Ken]

Did it once to a boat we raced. Drilled a hole and fitted a clamcleat outside and in. Line through the hole and down through each clamcleat, held secure and releasable from upstairs or down.

 

[Oldhairy]

My Rival 34 has a stainless saddle just below the companion way with a line bent on.
Each wash board has a 3" cleat mounted horizontally on the center line about 2" from the top.
To secure the boards, just belay progressively.
No idea about preventing the boards going O.B. mine live on the quarter berth when not in use.

 

[Seajet]

I have a bolt through the small vertical lip of the sliding hatch, the bit which lips over the washboards.

It has a small stainless lever inside & out, secured by lock nuts, so can be opened or secured from inside or out; I'll try to get a photo.

The top washboard has a sliding bolt on the top inside, reachable from outside when the sliding hatch is opened; this is to stop the washboards dropping out should she invert.

I agree perspex washboards are very useful, I have a smoked dark one which can be also be used in harbour in daytime - not at night as turning any cabin light on turns one into an exhibitionist !

I've found the hard way that the perspex scratches easily, and needs careful stowage; usually between a bunktop & mattress.

Talking of washboards, like a lot of people I use an old tired looking but strong set for the winter ashore, giving the chance to tart up the good 'operational' set.