Folding Pad Eye for Gennaker Block Mounting

[UNCIVILIZED]

My goof on the Code 0 comment. As to padeyes, Wichard makes several with a much higher working load than those mentioned in this thread. And Harken & other companies make ones that are strong enough to lift your boat with (23t non-custom, & larger custom ones). Assuming they're properly mounted of course.

I'm not sure what size boat you're trying to spec' hardware for, & knowing as much would enable some pretty fair guesses as to sail areas. Especially if the rig configuration is stated. Particularly if you know the dimensions of the sail triangles, or a passable guess at the hoist & foot measurements. As there's a world of difference between a 40' mono & a 56' cat.

[Palarran]

I couldn't find a HR rated one so got the largest standard wichard. Mostly I'm concerned about the mounting which probably can't be figured out on line.

The size of my boat is listed in my avatar details.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by Palarran

I couldn't find a HR rated one so got the largest standard wichard. Mostly I'm concerned about the mounting which probably can't be figured out on line.

The size of my boat is listed in my avatar details.

In the real world will you break a padeye rated at 4t with your spin, probably not. Though given the size of the sail you'll certainly be pushing said padeye pretty hard at times. As in perhaps near it's WLL. Since a spinnaker on your boat is likely to be at least double the size of one on a 40' mono, if not bigger. Depends on the I & J measurements used to build the kite. And how often you go shrimping. BTW, when you state 14mm tackline, what kind of line are you talking about? As it's strength in relation to that of the padeye is definitely a factor.

Bottom line, were it me, I'd want something stronger. Since there will be times when the padeye is used for other things than just flying the kite. So the loads, especially shock loads, could be pretty high. Like say a dockline, or bridle.
Though again, at a certain point it'll also come down to how strong the structure is that the padeye's attached to. Meaning the bows of your boat. Something which I can't comment on, not having 1st-hand familiarity with that design.

I'm not trying to criticize, but I'm not sure why Wichard folding padeyes seem so popular with the cruising crowd & on this forum. As you can get a fixed padeye that's a bleep of a lot stronger, for far less money. And there are a lot of reputable hardware makers out there which produce quality products for less. It's not that I dislike Wichard, but sometimes you're paying as much for the name as the product, if not more.

[Cheechako]

Yes aluminum backing plate is fine. I just use 5200 liberally on the interface, it conforms to the rough surface and gets fairly hard when set up, while sealing any potential leaks..

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Yes aluminum backing plate is fine. I just use 5200 liberally on the interface, it conforms to the rough surface and gets fairly hard when set up, while sealing any potential leaks..

I was hoping that would be an option

[silversailor]

Suggestions: Look at Ropeye as an alternative solution. Use the pad eye or Ropeye to mount a block that swivels instead of running tack/sheets directly through pad eye or Ropeye.

[Palarran]

While I didn't start this thread, I appreciate all of you who offered me advice on the pad eye install. For my application, which was adding a tack point attachment for my Asym, I've decided to do nothing. After thinking about it, my main cross beam is attached about 2' inboard from where I would have added the pad eyes and is a bomb proof connection point. I'm going to just make a loop around it with heavy line and chafe protection then use a snatch block for the tack line. Simple and free.