Adding Spinlock XTS rope clutches

[Deleted]

I want to add a triple rope clutch from Spinlock type XTS on starboard side of the entrance of our SO37. Does anybody know what length of bolts to buy, since I have no idea how thick the deck and counterplate in this area is.

[ianpowolny]

Marien,

Here's a link to the drilling template for the XTS triple. Why not use this to drill a single hole in the correct place and then a piece of wire coat hanger with a small lip to catch under the deck and measure the depth you have drilled? I see you need M8 bolts.

www.spinlock.co.uk/uploads/files/112013/527d5c360d1c48c169001959/original/2192-XTS-3.pdf?1383955275

Ian

[Deleted]

Ian I like to have the bolts available when I start the job. Thanks anyway for the template.

[MartyB]

Not sure if you boat is the same as my Arcadia. I am recalling needing 2" bolts, some were a bit smaller. Almost ALL of them I had to cut the remaining bolt so they did not protrude too much from the nut to get my ceiling liner up in a correct shape etc.

I used a sawzall to cut the bolts. If you have one they are handy for this task, if not a hacksaw may be needed.

I also choose to use the largest fender washers I could on the underside.

marty

[Deleted]

Since I don' t want to destroy the thread of the bolts I think I will go for the idea of Ian. One hole underneath the dodger will not be so problematic.

[boltnbrew]

If you have existing clutches, just remove one of the existing bolts.

[Deleted]

No, they are properly installed so why would I take the risk when reinstalling and not sealing it correctly again.

[bigred]

It'll be a complete fluke if you can get the right length bolt "off the shelf". Either do the job on a day when your friendly local chandler is open and do the drill & check trick, or buy bolts that are clearly too long and cut to length. Although a few cents more expensive, this will ultimately give you a much tidier job. Also you'll find a lot of the biggest washers are hard to find in M6 or M8. So sometimes it pays to get large and smaller washers to double up.

[iancymru]

I would do as Ian suggested to see how long you need but doubt you will be able to get a exact length bolts so its back to cutting, I like yourself always worry the thread could be damaged but found if you put a non nylock nut on the bolt prior to cutting it helps hold the bolt in a vice then cut with a fine blade hacksaw. Then take off the nut and that helps clear the thread, hope Im not stating the obvious but works for me 99% of the time just get another 1% of bolts just in case

[Don Reaves]

Another approach would be to buy a number of different lengths and choose the best one. This would be more expensive, of course, but the extra bolts could go in your kit of spare parts, and might be very useful someday.

Of course, you still might have to cut the bolts to get the neatest installation.