What is the best way to hold floor-boards in place?

[Daydream believer]

That's what I did on Anemone the only potential problem is that the screw holes might get enlarged if you take them up a lot. Then use a bigger screw.

I had a mate who had that problem with his coat hooks in the aft berth. Each time they fell off he used bigger screws. One day he could not leave the dock. Seemed some idiot had screwed the boat to the pontoon

 

[coopec]

Having delivered one from Germany to Latvia ... the owner then racing it .....

I would be inclined to leave every board / every access loose and unfastened .....

Boat ? Bav Match 35 .................... yes - she lost her keel of Kolka just like so many of her sisters ...................

Keel recovered .. boat was grounded to save it ... keel refitted - BUT with extra to make sure it stayed !!

OOP's shouldn't mention such things ... people get upset !!

Apparently Bavaria has chucked out their (infamous) old designs, commissioned new nautical architects and have come up with a new family of coastal cruisers.

 

[coopec]

Lots of AWB doe the Arc every year, I dont call that coastal cruising. My Beneteau took us safely across Biscay I dont call that coastal cruising either. Screwing down my floor boards wasnt high on my to do list.

That just demonstrates the luck of fools.

 

[Neeves]

I would be inclined to leave every board / every access loose and unfastened .....

I don't think a scrutineer for a Cat 1 race would be very impressed.

To me - if you are making ocean passages looking to Cat 1 regs as a basis for fitting out your yacht seems a very sensible basis and ignoring certain aspects as being 'inconvenient' lacks logic. As far as I am aware Cat 1 regs are based on historic weaknesses in yacht design and build and the regs seek to address these omissions. I confess I respect the knowledge and lore which are the basis of the regulations and I, personally, would not ignore them. Obviously many people are not sailing 'offshore' in totally unprotected waters and the chance of being rolled is minimal (if not zero). In fact the chances of being rolled is not high - but it does happen and really if the dangers can be reduced by securing floor boards - why not - and why not ask here as to the best way to complete the task. Much of Australia's coast and that of Africa is totally devoid of safe havens and the distances between shelter is many hundreds of miles (and even then entry to some shelter is protected by a bar which can deny access in an emergency). In comparison the UK, Baltic, and Med are festooned with harbours and marinas receive a bad forecast and you can find shelter relatively quickly on Europe's coast. Half way across the Australian Bight - there is nothing.

I appreciate that those of us living in far flung places might have experiences that are outside the knowledge base of Europeans but I hope we add perspective to some of the threads - European waters are not the only places people sail.

When we fitted out Josepheline it was conducted with Cat 1 as the basis - which is why we have an extra manual bilge pump capable of reaching every corner of the yacht, why we have an inner forestay for a storm jib, why we have a massive 3rd reef, why we have a series of strong points through the cockpit for tethers and why we have jackstays under the bridge deck. We have never used the bilge pump, we have never used the jackstays under the bridge deck in anger - but we commonly use the massive 3rd reef, we do use the strong points in the cockpit and we have since added washboards to keep the worst of the following seas from flooding the cockpit. We also have an HF transceiver - as in the absence of a satellite phone it is the only means to receive weather forecast in much of Australia's waters, which stretch half way to NZ and half way to S Africa.

Different geography, different demands

Jonathan

 

[Laminar Flow]

I don't think a scrutineer for a Cat 1 race would be very impressed.

To me - if you are making ocean passages looking to Cat 1 regs as a basis for fitting out your yacht seems a very sensible basis and ignoring certain aspects as being 'inconvenient' lacks logic. As far as I am aware Cat 1 regs are based on historic weaknesses in yacht design and build and the regs seek to address these omissions. I confess I respect the knowledge and lore which are the basis of the regulations and I, personally, would not ignore them. Obviously many people are not sailing 'offshore' in totally unprotected waters and the chance of being rolled is minimal (if not zero). In fact the chances of being rolled is not high - but it does happen and really if the dangers can be reduced by securing floor boards - why not - and why not ask here as to the best way to complete the task. Much of Australia's coast and that of Africa is totally devoid of safe havens and the distances between shelter is many hundreds of miles (and even then entry to some shelter is protected by a bar which can deny access in an emergency). In comparison the UK, Baltic, and Med are festooned with harbours and marinas receive a bad forecast and you can find shelter relatively quickly on Europe's coast. Half way across the Australian Bight - there is nothing.

I appreciate that those of us living in far flung places might have experiences that are outside the knowledge base of Europeans but I hope we add perspective to some of the threads - European waters are not the only places people sail.

When we fitted out Josepheline it was conducted with Cat 1 as the basis - which is why we have an extra manual bilge pump capable of reaching every corner of the yacht, why we have an inner forestay for a storm jib, why we have a massive 3rd reef, why we have a series of strong points through the cockpit for tethers and why we have jackstays under the bridge deck. We have never used the bilge pump, we have never used the jackstays under the bridge deck in anger - but we commonly use the massive 3rd reef, we do use the strong points in the cockpit and we have since added washboards to keep the worst of the following seas from flooding the cockpit. We also have an HF transceiver - as in the absence of a satellite phone it is the only means to receive weather forecast in much of Australia's waters, which stretch half way to NZ and half way to S Africa.

Different geography, different demands

Jonathan

To my knowledge, there is no mention of floor boards in the Cat 1 regulations.

My offshore experience was done on 43', 42' and 50' mono hulls. I have not the slightest doubt that these vessels are at least as resistant to turning turtle as a 37' cat, no matter how she might be equipped.

Our home waters are the Pacific North West. There are very few harbours on the North American West coast and many are inaccessible during bad weather. Our offshore buoys regularly register waves over 100'. Australia and NZ do not hold a monopoly on dangerous seas and even in the sunny Med you can get caught out in a Mistral in the Golfe du Lyons that will sandpaper evry last bit of paint off a steel boat and clear absolutely everything off her decks, masts, stanchions and crew included.

I have experienced quite a few storms at sea, blown out sails, broken booms, been knocked down flat and near lost a mast; I have yet to have a floor board shift.

Of course everyone is free to take their anxiety to whatever levels suits them, but securing floor boards is not exactly high on my list of priorities.

 

[coopec]

To my knowledge, there is no mention of floor boards in the Cat 1 regulations.

My offshore experience was done on 43', 42' and 50' mono hulls. I have not the slightest doubt that these vessels are at least as resistant to turning turtle as a 37' cat, no matter how she might be equipped.

Our home waters are the Pacific North West. There are very few harbours on the North American West coast and many are inaccessible during bad weather. Our offshore buoys regularly register waves over 100'. Australia and NZ do not hold a monopoly on dangerous seas and even in the sunny Med you can get caught out in a Mistral in the Golfe du Lyons that will sandpaper evry last bit of paint off a steel boat and clear absolutely everything off her decks, masts, stanchions and crew included.

I have experienced quite a few storms at sea, blown out sails, broken booms, been knocked down flat and near lost a mast; I have yet to have a floor board shift.

Of course everyone is free to take their anxiety to whatever levels suits them, but securing floor boards is not exactly high on my list of priorities.

I respect your opinion but as you say "Of course everyone is free to take their anxiety to whatever levels suits them"

I personally prefer the belt and braces approach

"After reading the recent piece on the major storm in the South Pacific ("Voyagers ‘squashed’ by a New Zealand storm," Issue No. 64), I have been looking into the flying floorboard issue. Vessels registered in New Zealand are required to pass inspection before being allowed to depart for overseas. Among the safety requirements is a means of securing the floorboards in place, in case the boat should roll and throw the boards and contents of the bilge around inside the boat"

Keeping floorboards in their place - Ocean Navigator

 

[Neeves]

To my knowledge, there is no mention of floor boards in the Cat 1 regulations.

My offshore experience was done on 43', 42' and 50' mono hulls. I have not the slightest doubt that these vessels are at least as resistant to turning turtle as a 37' cat, no matter how she might be equipped.

Our home waters are the Pacific North West. There are very few harbours on the North American West coast and many are inaccessible during bad weather. Our offshore buoys regularly register waves over 100'. Australia and NZ do not hold a monopoly on dangerous seas and even in the sunny Med you can get caught out in a Mistral in the Golfe du Lyons that will sandpaper evry last bit of paint off a steel boat and clear absolutely everything off her decks, masts, stanchions and crew included.

I have experienced quite a few storms at sea, blown out sails, broken booms, been knocked down flat and near lost a mast; I have yet to have a floor board shift.

Of course everyone is free to take their anxiety to whatever levels suits them, but securing floor boards is not exactly high on my list of priorities.

I am sure you are correct, my need to secure floor boards was over 30 years ago. It may not have been specifically floor boards but 'things' that might move in a knockdown (in our case - floor boards).

I copy from current regs:

2.03.2 Heavy Items:

1. (a) Ballast, tanks, ballast tanks and associated equipment
   shall be permanently installed.
2. (b) Heavy movable items including batteries, stoves, gas
   bottles, toolboxes, and anchors and chain shall be
   securely fastened.
3. (c) Heavy items for which fixing is not specified in these
   Special Regulations shall be permanently installed or securely fastened, as appropriate.

Floor boards may not be heavy - until they hit you. I suspect our floor boards have similar weight to the gas hob (which is not gimballed but securely fixed). and separate from the oven, which is also not gimballed but is secured;y fixed.

The whole basis of the regulations is to minimise injury under extreme conditions. One might assume you are not going to suffer a knock down - but if you think it possible then securing floor boards seems prudent and in the spirit of the regulations. Scrutineers in HK were specific - and you don't argue with scrutineers (over something like securing a floor board).


It may not be high on your list of priorities but there may be some of your priorities that are not high on the list of others - we all make our own choices and who are we to question the choice of others.

The man asked for options to secure his floor boards - he did not asked to be mocked nor insulted by others (you are not included in the others ).

A little respect and politeness goes a long way and the bullying (again, not you) gets tedious. Don't people have better things to do than insult members (for example - why not start an anchor thread , or go and polish your car, it might go faster ). Get a life, find your entertainment elsewhere.

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

I don't think a scrutineer for a Cat 1 race would be very impressed.

To me - if you are making ocean passages looking to Cat 1 regs as a basis for fitting out your yacht seems a very sensible basis and ignoring certain aspects as being 'inconvenient' lacks logic. As far as I am aware Cat 1 regs are based on historic weaknesses in yacht design and build and the regs seek to address these omissions. I confess I respect the knowledge and lore which are the basis of the regulations and I, personally, would not ignore them. Obviously many people are not sailing 'offshore' in totally unprotected waters and the chance of being rolled is minimal (if not zero). In fact the chances of being rolled is not high - but it does happen and really if the dangers can be reduced by securing floor boards - why not - and why not ask here as to the best way to complete the task. Much of Australia's coast and that of Africa is totally devoid of safe havens and the distances between shelter is many hundreds of miles (and even then entry to some shelter is protected by a bar which can deny access in an emergency). In comparison the UK, Baltic, and Med are festooned with harbours and marinas receive a bad forecast and you can find shelter relatively quickly on Europe's coast. Half way across the Australian Bight - there is nothing.

I appreciate that those of us living in far flung places might have experiences that are outside the knowledge base of Europeans but I hope we add perspective to some of the threads - European waters are not the only places people sail.

When we fitted out Josepheline it was conducted with Cat 1 as the basis - which is why we have an extra manual bilge pump capable of reaching every corner of the yacht, why we have an inner forestay for a storm jib, why we have a massive 3rd reef, why we have a series of strong points through the cockpit for tethers and why we have jackstays under the bridge deck. We have never used the bilge pump, we have never used the jackstays under the bridge deck in anger - but we commonly use the massive 3rd reef, we do use the strong points in the cockpit and we have since added washboards to keep the worst of the following seas from flooding the cockpit. We also have an HF transceiver - as in the absence of a satellite phone it is the only means to receive weather forecast in much of Australia's waters, which stretch half way to NZ and half way to S Africa.

Different geography, different demands

Jonathan

It may surprise you to know that I have a copy of the Ocean Race Standards - having been a race organiser and facilitator ... Alan who sits on the cmttee and wrote the book is a friend of mine ... so please stop the lectures.

My comment is based on years of cruising yacht ownership and open sea sailing ... was NOT intended to be a race advisory.

 

[Neeves]

You don't need a copy of Cat 1 regs - they are freely available using google. Why on earth would you think I am surprised - I don't judge.

We know you are well experienced ocean yachtsman and owner - you have told us previously. Repetition is unnecessary. We, or I, believe what people post - until proved otherwise.

The regs are regularly used as a blue print for those who are kitting out their yacht - they are not only used as race advisory. In fact, as you are an expert - they are NOT an advisory. - most of the content is mandated.

Jonathan

 

[dankilb]

I’d be put off by the templating and tracksaw skills required for DIY interference fit sole boards before I even got to worrying about them going walk(fly/float?!)about.

 

[Refueler]

You don't need a copy of Cat 1 regs - they are freely available using google. Why on earth would you think I am surprised - I don't judge.

We know you are well experienced ocean yachtsman and owner - you have told us previously. Repetition is unnecessary. We, or I, believe what people post - until proved otherwise.

The regs are regularly used as a blue print for those who are kitting out their yacht - they are not only used as race advisory. In fact, as you are an expert - they are NOT an advisory. - most of the content is mandated.

Jonathan

Wow ... what a patronising post ...

As to kitting out a yacht ... how many use Parafil Guard Lines on their boat ? They are banned under Offshore regs ...

As I asked .. no need to lecture ...

 

[Refueler]

I’d be put off by the templating and tracksaw skills required for DIY interference fit sole boards before I even got to worrying about them going walk(fly/float?!)about.

Fine ... as with all others - one of the suggestions ... joins the long list !!

No-one has the perfect answer because each owners needs / views are different .. boats are different ... etc.

 

[Forum Admin Team]

Another thread degenerates into a squabble. Sadly, the same names get involved on each occasion.

Take some time out and consider your position.