Project Log: Tuesday, January 4, 2011
I had just enough time at the end of the day to consider
re-approaching the caprail U-bolts that I'd not been
able to release from the diabolical grasp of the
corroded aluminum backing plates.
In the shop, I found a two-foot length of 3/4" threaded
rod that looked like it'd be a decent tool to use to
better apply force (i.e. banging with a hammer) from
beneath, the goal being to push the bolts upward and
break the grip of the corrosion: a simple enough
task made difficult by the tight access.
There were five U-bolts remaining, and the long threaded
rod and 2-pound maul worked well to release three of
them using this technique, allowing me to remove the
U-bolts from above with minimal additional effort.
The remaining two--the forwardmost pair on the starboard
side--resisted these efforts, and after more fruitless
attempts at prying and levering, I gave up and cut off
the U-bolts just above the caprail with an angle grinder
and cutoff wheel. Then, I hammered (with
amazing difficulty in two cases; the grip of the
corrosion was impressive) the four remaining bolt studs
through the caprail and into the boat beneath. |
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Later, I'd remove the final four U-bolts located well
aft and outboard of the cockpit, but not until I'd cut
access holes in the cockpit coamings once the new access
ports arrived.
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Total Time Today: .75 hours
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