Because the term "ring" is used, I presume the bow "eye" is a single bolt model. Would it be better to switch to a U bolt with two bolts through the bow into a backing block for more strength? -----Original Message----- From: Dan Farrell <msog@danf.us> To: Msog List <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tue, Jul 11, 2017 1:00 pm Subject: Re: M_Boats: Rebuilding bow ring reinforcement Hmm, high density polyurethane foam would also be easy to shape and work with. I could also use HDPE maybe. I have a chunk of 1inch laying around. Any other opinions about the applicability of these materials? Dan FarrellM17 #301casioqv@usermail.com wrote:>This polyurethane bow eye wedge could be an option to replace the wood backing if damaged:>>https://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/1110/plastic-backing-block-cp-22-c-22-c-25-bow-eye-c-27-bobstay.cfm>>Sincerely,>Tyler>>----- Original Message ----->From: jerry@jerrymontgomery.org>To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com>>Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 8:01:46 AM>Subject: Re: M_Boats: Rebuilding bow ring reinforcement>>The wood backup is there for two reasons- to spread the load, and to give >the structure a bit of compressibility, which will keep tension on the >U-bolt and keep it from unwinding.>>I think there has been very little problem with it, in fact this is the >first time I've heard of a problem, but like all exterior hardware it should >be pulled off every few years and rebedded.>>-----Original Message----- >From: John Schinnerer>Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 6:03 AM>To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com>Subject: Re: M_Boats: Rebuilding bow ring reinforcement>>My question would be, why was there a chunk of wood used there in the>first place? Rather than just bolting it to the fiberglass, maybe with>some kind of resin-based stiffener.>>If there was a good reason why the wood was used - flexibility? Shock>absorption? spreading the stress load? etc., I'd consider that when>repairing.>>If no functional reason - maybe it was just quicker and cheaper as a>spacer - then your idea might be fine.>>I think you mean fumed silica or amorphous silica though (the powdery>forms)...'colloidal' means a suspension in a liquid, which probably>wouldn't mix well with the epoxy... :-)>>cheers,>John S.>>>On 07/11/2017 03:48 PM, Dan Farrell wrote:>> I recently discovered that the wood used to reinforce the bow ring if my >> '79 m-17 had been ruined by water intrusion. The fiberglass over it's top >> had collapsed.>>>> I've removed the damaged fiberglass and the wood pulp, and was planning to >> glass over the area little by little from the bottom up, filling in the >> space formerly filled by wood with epoxy thickened with colloidal silica.>>>> Does this seem like a poor plan to anyone?>>>> Dan Farrell>> M17 #301>>>>-- >John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design>-------------------------------------------->- Eco-Living ->Whole Systems Design Services>People - Place - Learning - Integration>john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334>http://eco-living.net>http://sociocracyconsulting.com>