[C320-list] Rigging Tie Rods

[Joe Geiger]

I did this last year while getting new standing rigging. I was happy to find the deck area around the chainplates were solid fiberglass. Not balsa wood core.  I have a 2000 but I’m not sure when they made this change. 

Warren’s tips about remembering the number of turns to loosen the bolts and the position of the washers are key to making the job much easier. I used an adjustable wrench and progress was slow but it worked fine. 

I ended up having to do one side over because the weight of the tie rod broke the seal. The second time I put a clamp on the tie rod where it met the fiberglass behind the settee. This took the weight of the tie rod off the tang while it dried.  So far, no leaks. 

I used bedding compound for this but I am moving to butyl tape for all future bedding projects. 

Joe
--
Joe Geiger
“Vega” #722
Greenwich Cove, RI

> On Aug 16, 2020, at 3:35 PM, Doug Treff <doug at treff.us> wrote:
> 
> Warren Updike wrote an article that is available here on the C320 web site about rebedding chainplates. He made mention of a crow's foot socket but didn't call out what size specifically.
> https://c320.org/article.php/20161031044811487
> 
> --
> Doug Treff
> doug at treff.us
> 
>> On Sat, Aug 15, 2020, at 3:01 PM, mseyler at cox.net wrote:
>> Three possible solutions for tightening the tie-rods.  
>> 
>> First, you can get deep-well sockets.  I found a 27MM socket at Grainger.  
>> 
>> https://www.grainger.com/product/SK-PROFESSIONAL-TOOLS-27mm-Alloy-Steel-Socket-with-20K043 
>> 
>> I also found one much cheaper at Northern Tool.  
>> 
>> https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200654072_200654072
>> 
>> For the one-time low-torques use you're going to have, the cheaper 
>> version is probably fine.  Frustratingly, neither one says how deep the 
>> socket actually is, so it's hard to tell whether it would be deep 
>> enough to fit over the tie-rod end.
>> 
>> There is also such a thing as a "pass-through" socket set.  I bought 
>> one at Grainger for another project.  
>> 
>> https://www.grainger.com/category/tools/sockets-bits/socket-sets?attrs=Item%7CPass-Thru+Socket+Set&filters=attrs 
>> 
>> It only went up to 22MM, so might not be big enough for the tie-rods.  
>> But if you can find one for the size of the nuts, it allows the bolt to 
>> pass through the ratchet, and covers any length of bolt.
>> 
>> The other alternative would be to find a box ratchet wrench.  Here's 
>> one from Grainger, again:
>> 
>> https://www.grainger.com/product/WESTWARD-1-1-8-54PN37
>> 
>> You might be able to find one cheaper.  But because of the thickness of 
>> the ratchet mechanism, there may be some places a socket would fit or a 
>> plain box wrench, but not a box ratchet wrench.
>> 
>> I agree with Dave that you don't want to tighten the tie-rod too much, 
>> because it would tend to pull the fitting down through the deck.  But I 
>> would think you'd want a little bit of pre-load to counter the upward 
>> pull on the windward shrouds when the boat is on the wind.  If anyone 
>> knows of a specification I'd love to see it.
>> 
>> Good luck, and let us know how it all works out.  This list is an 
>> incredible source of information that any one of us may need one day.
>> 
>> Mark Seyler
>> S/V Reality, 
>> Catalina 320, #232
>> New Orleans, LA
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Dave Hupe
>> Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2020 11:00 AM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rigging Tie Rods
>> 
>> Michael-
>> I had one rod that was loose to the point I could shake it back and 
>> forth and hear a slight rattle.  I snugged it up just enough with an 
>> open end wrench to eliminate the play.  I think if you torque it too 
>> much you risk cracking the deck at the chain plate (not good).
>> I think I read an earlier post about just snugging it up. Dave Hupe
>> 1994 C320 #32
>> 
>> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android 
>> 
>>  On Sat, Aug 15, 2020 at 10:01 AM, Michael
>> Leschisin<mleschisin at imagestudios.com> wrote:   Hey all,
>> 
>> I need to snug down the tie rods for the standing rigging on my boat.  
>> (The rods we all have on the interior of the boat that anchor the 
>> rigging to the hull behind the settees.). I believe the fore and aft 
>> tie rod nuts are 3/4 inch.  Does anyone know the exact size of the 
>> center tie rod nut?  I measured it with calipers but its pretty 
>> difficult to get to cleanly, so I’m not sure if it’s an inch and 
>> 1/16th, an inch and 1/8th or possibly 27mm.  
>> 
>> I’m also looking for some advice on a source for extra long sockets 
>> since the rod extends about two and a half inches beyond the nut.  I 
>> can get a combination wrench on the fore and aft rods, but the ability 
>> to turn the wrench is very limited.  I’m guessing the center rods, with 
>> an even larger wrench, will be even more restricted so it seems a 
>> socket would be the way to go…. any experience in this area?  I’m 
>> guessing there are no standard torque specs for these nuts but if 
>> someone knows otherwise that would also be a great help.
>> 
>> Thanks for the help,
>> 
>> Michael Leschisin
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Wild Blue Yonder
>> #995
>> Menominee, MI
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>