Fairleads Screwed or Thru-Bolted?

[rhr1956]

I need to install two or three fairleads to route a 3/16 jib downhaul. I'm not sure how much load would be on the line when dousing the headsail. Thru-bolting is obviously stronger, but is it necessary?

[delmarrey]

Screw them to what?
As for a deck, if it's not thru bolted, it could work loose and then allow water to get into the core. And if you go thru the deck it should be epoxy sealed and re-drilled and sealed.
It's a lot more work repairing a wet core!!!

[skipmac]

What are you attaching the fairleads to? I am thinking of a downhaul for a jib which would be parallel to the forestay and can't think of where a fairlead would attach or is this running the downhaul back to the mast or cockpit? If that is the case then you would through bolt a block at the bow and then run the downhaul through fairleads towards the mast?

As long as there is no side loading on the fairleads screwing would work but as you point out, through bolting is always stonger.

[skipmac]

What delmarrey said about screwing into the deck core is very important.

But I might ask why you need a downhaul for the jib? The few times I had a problem dropping a jib (maybe 2-3 times in 15 years sailing) I was usually able to pull it down by luff. The one time I couldn't was when the halyard jammed in the masthead sheave and pulling harder on the jib would have just exacerbated the problem.

[rhr1956]

skipmac...I want to be able to get the jib or genoa down without leaving the cockpit. My boat is rather small (26 feet) and is not equipped with lifelines.

[rhr1956]

...I was leaning toward thru-bolting...I was just hoping someone would say it would be "overkill"

[skipmac]

Does the jib halyard lead back to a winch or cleat in the cockpit? If not you will still need to go to the mast to release the halyard.

I would not say through bolting is overkill so you might get away with screwing in the fairleads but do take careful note of the cautions from delmarrey about getting water into the deck core through the screw holes. You do not want a wet core.

The main question will be how much load will be on the fairleads. If the downhaul line goes straight through the fairleads without pulling up or sideways at all then you can probably get away with screws.

Also, you will have to have something bolted securely at the bow where the downhaul comes down along the forestay and makes the turn to go back through your fairleads to the cockpit. Screws will not work there but you may be able to find a spot around the bow where you can attach a block without adding a new fitting.

[rhr1956]

Yes skipmac...all lines run to the cockpit. At the bow the forestay attaches to a plate that has some extra holes. I'll shackle on a small block to one of those holes.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by rhr1956

At the bow the forestay attaches to a plate that has some extra holes. I'll shackle on a small block to one of those holes.

By the way, good brand of boat you have there.

[rhr1956]

Thanks..you too!

[Cheechako]

Good plan. Throughbolt!

[mike d.]

run your down haul inside your shackles and then as you said to a block behind jib attachment point. if you have aluminum toe rail add small blocks at 3-4' intervals to cockpit and your done!